It is best known for the 'Canal', but by visiting Panama you discover that there is so much more to this beautiful country. Two natural land bridges that connect North and Central America with South America. Panama represents a crossing point for the world's species and cultures.
Spend time in Panama and enjoy its world-class natural attractions including lakes, jungles, islands, beaches, coral reefs, two seacoasts, rain and cloud forest. These habitats play host to thousands of bird species in one country than in all of North America. A third of the country is protected through national parks and forest reserves, creating ideal opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts.
Culturally, Panama has extremes from tribal to international banking communities. As a crossroad, Panama brings together the cultures, traditions, music and folklore of the Indian tribes, the Spanish conquistadors, the African slaves and ultimately the American Canal builders. Through out this beautiful country you will always find traditional crafts, music, dancing, costumes and carnivals that contrast uniquely with the vibrant, exciting and modern atmosphere of Panama City.
NATIONAL FLAG
This is the national flag of the Republic of Panama. It is divided in four quarters. The lower left quarter near the mast pole is blue and represents the Conservative party. The top right quarter is red representing the Liberal party. These were the two traditional political parties at the time of the formation of the Republic of Panama.
The other two quarters are white representing the peace and harmony between the two aforementioned political parties. Each of these two white quarters bears a star in the middle. The blue star represents the purity and honesty that would characterize the civil life of the republic; the red star represents the authority and law that would impose these virtues.
The Panamanian flag was designed on October 29th, 1903 by Mr. Manuel E. Amador and made by Mrs. Maria Ossa de Amador on November 2nd (Day of the Panamanian flag). It was solemnly baptized and hoisted for the first time on December 20th of the same year. By law 64 of 1904 the flag was provisionally adopted, and later adopted definitely by law 4 of 1925. This was formalized by law 28 on March 28, 1941.
COAT OF ARMS
The Coat of Arms was adopted provisionally and then definitely by the same laws that adopted the Panamanian flag. The middle/center section contains the Isthmus of Panama. The head is divided in two quarters: in the one of the right hand, in the silver field, a sword and a gun are hung meant as abandonment for always to the civil wars, causes of our ruin; in the one of the left-hand side, and on field of gules, a crossed shovel and a grub hoe are shown shining, to symbolize the work.
The lower left quarter bears a cornucopia representing wealth. The lower right quarter has a winged wheel representing progress.The eagle bears on his beak a banner with the phrase "Pro Mundi Beneficio" (For the benefit of the world) and over his head the nine golden stars representing the nine provinces that comprise the republic. On the sides of the oval there are two sets of flags. The national coat of arms was designed by Don Nicanor Villalaz. The formal adoption and regulation of the use of the national flag, anthem and coat of arms were determined by law 34 of 1949. As a curious note, the lower part of the Colombian coat of arms still depicts the Isthmus of Panama since Panama was part of Colombia.
The current coat of arms is slightly different than the original one. For example the Andean eagle was replaced by the Harpy eagle, the legend on the emblem changed from ""Paz, Libertad, Union, Progreso" to "Pro Mundi Beneficio", the Railroad was replaced by the winged wheel. The original only had 7 stars because back then there were only 7 provinces since Herrera was part of Los Santos and Cocle and Chiriqui was part of Veraguas.
PANAMA COIN
Panama only started issuing its own coins after independence from Colombia in 1903. In the days of Spanish control, Panama City was a main shipping center for plundered gold and silver from Latin America, and it seems appropriate therefore that Panama has produced a number of attractive, often very large, silver coins. Our photograph shows a silver 1 Balboa of 1947.
NATIONAL BIRD
The national bird of Panama is the "Águila Harpía" (Harpy Eagle ). The Harpia (harpyja its latin name) is a very rare animal with an unknown population. This incredible bird weighs from 5-8 Kg. (male) and 7-9 Kg. (female) with a wingspan of 7 feet (around 2.16 metres).
The Harpy Eagle's habitat is the tropical lowland forests and is geographically restricted from southern Mexico, through Central and South America down to the northern part of Argentina. Two eggs are usually laid but only one chick hatches after 53-56 days of incubation. This species has one of the longest rearing periods of any raptor; about 2-3 years can pass between the birth of the chick and the next nesting attempt.
In the wild the diet of the Harpy Eagle consists of small tree dwelling animals such as monkeys, opossums and sloths. Its head is pale grey and crowned with a double crest. The back of the animal is black and its underside is white with a black stripe or band going up the chest thus giving it a menacing look to match its reputation. This is one of the largest of the 50 species of eagles and can achieve a speed of around 50 mph.
NATIONAL FLOWER
The national flower of Panama is a terrestrial orchid called "Flor del Espiritu Santo" or Holy Ghost Orchid in English. This species is found from Costa Rica down to Colombia and Ecuador. Inside the flower you see a perfectly shaped dove, hence the name of the orchid. It has ivory colored petals of an intense color, decorated in the center by a very well defined dove. This orchid blooms in the months of July through October.
The orchid while terrestrial, it can also be found between large trees in the forest. When these trees lose their leaves the Holy Ghost Orchid is revealed and exposed to the torrential rains of Panama.
The bulb of the Holy Ghost Orchid grows dramatically until it reaches maturity, reaching a size comparable to a softball ball. Then it produces very fragrant flowers that last a long time.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
The National Anthem was written by Mr. Jeronimo de la Ossa and its musical score was composed by Mr. Santos Jorge. It was approved by law 30 of 1906 and adopted by law 28 of 1941. This anthem was sung during the separation of Panama from Colombia.
Himno Nacional
Coro
Alcanzamos por fin la victoria
En el campo feliz de la union;
Con ardientes fulgores de gloria
Se ilumina la nueva nacion.
EstrofasEs preciso cubrir con un velo
Del pasado el calvario y la cruz;
Y que adorne el azul de tu cielo
De concordia la esplendida luz.
El progreso acaricia tus lares.
Al compas de sublime cancion,
Ves rugir a tus pies ambos mares
Quedan rumbo a tu noble mision.
Coro
En tu suelo cubierto de flores
A los besos del tibio terral,
Terminaron guerreros fragores;
Solo reina el amor fraternal.
Adelante la pica y la pala,
Al trabajo sin mas dilacion,
Y seremos asi prez y gala
De este mundo feraz de Colon.
Coro
Coro
Alcanzamos por fin la victoria
En el campo feliz de la union;
Con ardientes fulgores de gloria
Se ilumina la nueva nacion.
EstrofasEs preciso cubrir con un velo
Del pasado el calvario y la cruz;
Y que adorne el azul de tu cielo
De concordia la esplendida luz.
El progreso acaricia tus lares.
Al compas de sublime cancion,
Ves rugir a tus pies ambos mares
Quedan rumbo a tu noble mision.
Coro
En tu suelo cubierto de flores
A los besos del tibio terral,
Terminaron guerreros fragores;
Solo reina el amor fraternal.
Adelante la pica y la pala,
Al trabajo sin mas dilacion,
Y seremos asi prez y gala
De este mundo feraz de Colon.
Coro
MOTTO
Motto: Latin: Pro Mundi Beneficio
(English: "For the Benefit of the World")
POEM/POESIA
"PATRIA"
de Ricardo Miró Denis ¡Oh Patria tan pequeña, tendida sobre un istmo
de Ricardo Miró Denis ¡Oh Patria tan pequeña, tendida sobre un istmo
donde es el mar más verde y es más vibrante el sol,
en mí resuena toda tu música, lo mismo
que el mar en la pequeña celda del caracol!
Revuelvo la mirada y a veces siento espanto
cuando no veo el camino que a ti me ha de tornar...
¡Quizá nunca supiera que te quería tanto
si el Hado no dispone que atravesara el mar!...
La Patria es el recuerdo... Pedazos de la vida
envueltos en jirones de amor o de dolor;
la palma rumorosa, la música sabida,
el huerto ya sin flores, sin hojas, sin verdor.
La Patria son los viejos senderos retorcidos
que el pie, desde la infancia, sin tregua recorrió,
en donde son los árboles antiguos conocidos
que al paso nos conversan de un tiempo que pasó.
En vez de estas soberbias torres con áurea flecha
en donde un sol cansado se viene a desmayar,
dejadme el viejo tronco donde escribí una fecha,
donde he robado un beso, donde aprendí a soñar.
¡Oh mis vetustas torres queridas y lejanas:
yo siento las nostalgias de vuestro repicar!
He visto muchas torres, oí muchas campanas,
pero ninguna supo, ¡torres mías lejanas!,
cantar como vosotras, cantar y sollozar.
La Patria es el recuerdo... Pedazos de la vida
envueltos en jirones de amor o de dolor;
la palma rumorosa, la música sabida,
el huerto ya sin flores, sin hojas, sin verdor.
¡Oh Patria tan pequeña que cabes toda entera
debajo de la sombra de nuestro pabellón:
quizás fuiste tan chica para que yo pudiera
llevarte toda entera dentro del corazón!
NATIONAL DRESS
A pollera is the national folkloric dress worn by women of Panama. The dresses have their origins in Spain, where the Spanish women who accompanied the Conquistadores wore their dresses in the New World while the Conquistadores explored the new continent. The dress was adopted and modified by the women in different regions of Panama, and the dresses have evolved into the colorful and lively polleras seen today.
very helpful for my Spanish report!
ReplyDeleteThis really helped me in my project
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