FACTS ABOUT PANAMA

I love that most of my maternal family stills lives in Panama. That is where my maternal Grandparents and Mother are from. Im always surprised that so few people know not much about Panama.

I was in Starbucks the other day and these two young black gay kids were saying but where is Panama. Panamanians are Jamacians?

The other said No they are spanish.

I tried to mind my business but every now and then even a good guy like me can lose it.

So It old them that Panamanians are latin people. Most of us look like black folk. But were spanish. Then I told them some famous people who are from Panama.

So I said Ooh that will make a nice blog on Myspace and Multiply thats where I do most of my blogging Anyways


Let me just start it out with the largest booming part of Panama, Punta Pacifica, in which these one of its pictures!

Now, I'll show you all some celebrities from Panama, or famous people who are from Panama!

Mariano Rivera, Baseball, New York Yankees.

Rod Carew, Baseball, California Angels and Minnesota Twins, Hall of Fame.


Carlos Lee, Texas Rangers, Baseball.

El General Rapper/singer

Justine Pasek, 2002 Miss Universe Winner.



Ruben Blades, Salsa singer, Panamanian.

Manuel Antonio Noriega, Cause of the 1989 Panama Invasion, Drug Dealer, CIA.



DAPHANE RUBIN- VEGA- BROADWAY ACTRESS (RENT) /SINGER

Mireya Moscoso, Ex-President, stole over 700 million dollars from the government, 1999-2004.


Omar Torrijos, Ex-Presiden, Died in the 80's, signed the treaty with Jimmy Carter for the Canal to be given to Panama in December 31st, 1999.


Martin Torrijos- President of Panama, 2004-Present.


Some history
Panama is the country with the first established city in the America's! Also the country that was Christopher Columbus' 4th Voyage, got independent from Spain in the 28th of November, 1821, and from Colombia in November 3rd, 1903 with the help of the United States.

Languages:
Spanish(Official), English, spoken by over 14% of the population as their native language.

Population:3.2 million people.
( 40% Mestizo(Mix of White and Native Panamanian), 25% Black( Mainly from the Antilles), 20% White( Israel, Greece, Italy, Spain, France), 7% Asian( Mainly from China),4% Native Panamanian, and 3% Arab.

Cities
Panama City, Panama- 700,000 people in City Proper, 1.4 million Metro Area.
San Miguelito- 500,000 people.
Colon-250,000 people.
David-150,000 people.
La Chorrera- 115,000 people.

GDP Per Capita
$9,840( Third highest in Latin America, Costa Rica and Chile).

GDP
32 billion dollars.

Facts-
Panama was ranked one of the best 3 places to live in Latin America.
Panama was ranked best place to retire in the world.
Panama has the best skyline in Latin America.
Panama has the largest booming city in the America's and one of the best in the world.
Panama is the second largest banking center in the world with over 116 banks(Only Switzerland is on top of Panama).
Hosted Miss Universe twice.
Hosted Survivor, Pearl Islands on the channel CBS.