Sophia+Godin

=__Panama__=



lonelyplanet.com

__**MAP**__

How might the Vegetation and Climate maps relate to the location of major cities? When I compare my map to the vegetation and Population Density maps of Panama, the highly populated major cities, have good soil to grow crops. I think that is why many people have settled there because more jobs can open up when you farm. For example, the cities David, Santiago, Colón, La Chorrera, and Panama City all say that they have scrubs, savannahs, and crops in the vegetation map and on the population density map it says that they are highly populated. Also, the climate of a savannah might and good for growing certain crops. I think today, those cities have more open jobs, and and that’s why they are popular today.


 * __History Profile and Comparison Chart Bullet Points__**


 * The growth rate of Panama is 1.435%. This shows us that a lot of babies are born and also people immigrate to Panama. This could mean that the place is enjoyable, and women have more babies.


 * The infant mortality rate per 1,000 births in Panama is 11.64. This shows us that more infants die per 1,000 births and they don’t have the best medication to keep the babies alive.


 * The literacy rate in Panama is 91.9%. This shows us if they have equal rights (if they also send women to school).


 * The percentage of the population below the poverty line is 25.6%. This shows us how the economy is, how many people have jobs, education, and if the country is rich or poor.

Many people don’t think of art when they think of Panama. In fact, Panama has very remarkable and fascinating types of art. Some popular types of art in Panama include baskets, Molas, and masks. Many arts are inspired by traditional types of art from Panama tribes.
 * __ Art __****__ in Panama __**

Molas are panels for blouses which use many layers of fabric. Kuna women started to make them when they could buy from stores. In their Molas, they include traditional/cultural designs from Kuna legends and modern designs. Another inspiration for the traditional designs was the pre-Hispanic body paintings. Molas can include many different types of designs. For example, Molas can include animal designs, cultural designs, patterns, figure designs, garden theme designs, and so many other designs.

Another popular type of art is baskets. They are made with Nahuala palm which is grown in Panama. The baskets are made by the women of the tribes of Wounaan and Embera. Both of the tribes make the same types of patterns and designs. The baskets include many types of patterns and colors. Also, they have many designs like the Molas. The colors on the baskets are mostly shades of brown, but many baskets have a lot of color. The baskets are useful and a work of art, and because of that they are very popular. They can be counted as art because of their unique designs.They are each one of a kind because they are handmade. Masks are also made in Panama by the Embera. The Embera masks are made with Nahuala palm, the same plant as the baskets. The masks are in different shapes such as birds, crocodiles, and monkeys. The Embera Indians made them in those designs because they were inspired by animals in the rainforest of Panama. The masks are usually colorful, and dyed with other plants. Masks can also be used for religious reasons. For example, during Carnival (a holiday in panama) they wear masks and different costumes while they have parades. What you should know: In Panama, there are many different types of art. Most are handmade and may be very expensive. For example, a Pollera can cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and a hat might take up to a year to make because they are unique/handmade.

**__Climate and Geography of Panama__** Panama is located between Costa Rica and Columbia and it is in Central America. It has many mountains which run through Panama. It is smaller than South Carolina, and it’s in an S shape. The highest point in Panama is the Vulcan Baru, which is a volcano that has been dormant. The mountains form a spine looking shape running through the middle of Panama with some mountains on the edges. Bordering Panama, there are many gulfs that lead into the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. Also, about 500 rivers can be found throughout Panama. I think that is why they eat so many fish and seafood dishes. The climate in Panama is a Tropical climate. They have many rainforests with many different species than America. This climate can influence many things. For example, they do sports that not all of us are able to do in America. Because I live in Potomac, MD, I can’t go surfing any day I wanted to. That is because the climate and the geography. They do American types of sports, but they also do snorkeling, reef diving, and many beach related sports. Also, it influences the clothes they wear. They have to wear lighter clothing because of the hot and muggy temperature. Another thing that the climate and geography influence is food. They eat a lot of fish and seafood dishes because they have many rivers and many places where they would be able to fish. They also eat a lot of fruit at home, because many tropical trees with fruits can grow in that climate. Also, climate and geography can affect population density. For example, the cities that are good for growing crops are highly populated. This way, many people can have jobs. Some examples of those types of cities are David, Santiago, Colón, La Chorrera, and Panama City because they have scrubs, savannas, and are good for growing crops but they are also highly populated.



What you should know:

The two coasts have different climates. While the Caribbean coast is rainy, the Pacific coasts will be dryer.

**__Historical Events and Attractions Panama__** When people think of Panama, they think of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is a series of locks connecting the Caribbean (Atlantic) and Pacific oceans. There are three sets of locks called the Gatun locks, Pedro Miguel locks, and the Miraflores locks. The Gatun locks raise the ships, the Pedro Miguel locks lower the ships, and the Miraflores locks also lower the ships. The French had started building the canal but in 1899, they gave up. In 1904, US started to build the Panama Canal. They had to deal with many problems while working on it. For example, they had to deal with diseases. The types of diseases were Yellow fever and malaria. They had to get rid of them so they could finish working without killing the people working on it. It was finished by 1914. The Panama Canal was made to help shorten the journeys by cutting through Panama. Now, because some ships are too big for the canal, they are working to make it wider. Another historical place is the Panama railway. The railway was important to build because it was quicker to cut through Panama in 1855. It was first built to help move people during the California Gold Rush. Then they rebuilt it to carry people and tools while working on the Panama Canal. It is also called the “dry canal” because it is an alternative to the Panama Canal. It helped people build the Panama Canal because they could It connects the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean by railway roads. It is 136 miles long. Now it has been remodeled for tourists to make it look like it did in the 19th century.



What you should know:

When going to Panama, a popular tourist attraction will be the Panama Canal (which is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World). The best months to go are January, February, and March because of the weather changes from the north and south hemispheres. Remember to pack light clothing because it will get hot (up to 90’s).

Sophia Godin **__ Every Day Living In Panama __** Many people might wonder if life is different in Panama. It’s really not that different than where we live, America. When people first meet, they usually shake hands like we do. When people are close they give each other light kisses on the cheek. Men touch each other’s arms/elbows. Some common gestures are common to America too. People nod and give firm handshakes. Women hug and kiss each other. When trying to hail a cab, you should put your hand out, with your palm facing down and fingers curled in. That isn’t so different from hailing a cab in America, where you just stick your hand out. How do people dress in Panama? A traditional way to dress for women is a Pollera. A Pollera is made up of a blouse and a skirt. The skirt has two layers. There are three types of Polleras- a casual Pollera, a formal Pollera, and a wedding Pollera. Another type of dress people wear is the Enagua. It’s a light dress that can keep you cool during the day, and keep you warm during the night. They are simple dresses with patterns. The patterns are pretty simple with pyramids, diamonds, or zigzagged waves. The main point that people want with their clothing in Panama is to keep them warm during the night, and cool during the day. Traditions for marriage in Panama are different than in America. In Panama, the groom gives the bride 13 gold coins. This symbolizes that the groom is ready to take on marriage and ready to take care of the bride. That is like in Judaism both the bride and the groom sign the Kutuba to show that they will take care of each other. What you should know: In Panama, American gestures will be understood.

Panama's Flag: Flag description; There are four equal rectangles that make up the flag of Panama. On the top left is a blue, 5 sided star. It represents the their good values of purity and honesty. On the bottom right is a red, 5 sided star. The red star represents the laws. The white around both of the stars represents that there is peace between the two political parties. On the top right is a red rectangle. On the bottom left is a blue rectangle. Those two colors are the colors of Panama's main political parties.

Sources: “CIA World Factbook” __ @http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook __ “USA Today Travel” > > “Panama Vegetation Map” > [] > > “Panama” > [] > > “Population Density Map of Panama” > [] > “Indigenous Art from Panama” > [] > “Panama Art” > [] > “Molas: Textile Art of Panama” > [|http://anthromuseum.missouri.edu/minigalleries/panamamolas/intro.shtml\] > “List of Famous People from Panama” > [] > “Building Bridges through Culture” > [] > “Panama National Dress and Regional Dress” > [] > “Panama Greetings” > [] > “Central American Wedding Traditions” > [] > “Polleras of Panama” > [] > “The Panama Canal” > [] > “Panama Canal” > [] > “Panama Info” > [] > “Panama History Timeline” > [] > “Geography” > [] > “Food of Panama” > [] > “Panama Sports” > [] > “Focus Panama” > [] > “Basket from Panama” > Folkart.com > [] > “Polleras in Panama” > []
 * @http://traveltips.usatoday.com/time-traveling-panama-canal-29630.html
 * "Panama Canal Transits Down In Second Quarter"
 * []“Map of Panama Physical Version”
 * "Polleras in Panama"
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