Panama History and Culture Essays -- Panama Historical Cultural Essays

Panama History and Culture The culture and political structures of Panama as we know it today has evolved from an incredibly diverse and interesting history. Geographically, Panama lies on an isthmus, a strip of land that essentially connects the greater landmasses of North and South America. It is believed that volcanic activity in the late Pliocene era closed the former Central American Seaway that had separated the two continents. The climatic implications of this landform are incredible, allowing for the redistribution of oceanic currents and the formation of the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic of today. The native populations of Panama include the Chibchan, Chocoan, and Cueva communities, and like the fates of many indigenous populations in a period of European colonization, they were dealt a poor hand. In the early 1500s, Rodrigo de Bastidas from Spain became the first European to officially explore the Isthmus. Alonso de Ojeda and Diego de Nicuesa were granted permission to begin colonization shortly after, in 1509. Thus the first European colonies in Panama emerged, and the Spanish-influenced culture of Panama began to unfold. Many of the native populations chose to relocate to the surrounding islands, away from Spanish influence. Panama remained under Spanish control until the 1800s. In 1801, the Panamanian communities began the move toward independence. In November of 1821, General Josà © de Fà ¡brega met with the separatists in the Capitol, and the group called for a national assembly, in which representatives from every region in Panama came to convene on November 10th. At this assembly it was officially declared that Panama was severing its ties to the Spanish, and ... ... Health Perspectives, Vol. 109, Supplement 2. (May, 2001), pp. 191-198. Mà ©ndez, J. Ignacio. â€Å"Azul y Rojo: Panama's Independence in 1840.† The Hispanic American Historical Review, Vol. 60, No. 2. (May, 1980), pp. 269-293. Moreno, Stanley Heckadon. â€Å"Impact of Development on the Panama Canal Environment.† Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, Vol. 35, No. 3, Special Issue: The Future of Panama and the Canal. (Autumn, 1993), pp. 129-149. Russell, Graham. â€Å"Hurricane Mitch and Human Rights†. Development and Practice, Vol. 9, No. 3. (May, 1999), pp.322-325. Weeks, John; Zimbalist, Andrew. â€Å"The Failure of Intervention in Panama: Humiliation in the Backyard.† Third World Quarterly, Vol. 11, No. 1. (Jan., 1989), pp. 1-27. www.cnn.com (CNN Website) www.history.com (History Channel)