| Panama, which means abundance of fish and butterflies, occupies the isthmus that links Central and South America. Its two neighboring countries are Costa Rica to the West and Colombia to the East. Enjoying its privileged geographical position, it is bathed by the Pacific Ocean to the South and Caribbean Sea to the North. Panama was discoverd by the Spaniard Rodrigo of Bastidas en 1501. He named Puerto Escribano what Admiral Christopher Columbus named Portobello during his fourth journey to America the following year. Panama remained faithful to the Spanish crown until November 28, 1821 when it declared its independence from the motherland and voluntarily joined The Great Colombia, formed in those days by the sister republics of Colombia, Venezuel, Ecuador and Bolivia. |
The treaty signed in 1846 gave the United States the rights to build the transcontinental railroad through the isthmus of Panama, in appreciation for having recognized Colombia's sovereignty over Panama. The isthmus served as the path of communication between the two oceans and its importance grew during the Californian Gold Rush. Several pro-independence movements started progressively, until November 3, 1903, after the Colombians refused to ratify the treaty with the United States to allow the building of the canal, culminted in the conformation of the separartist movement that declares Panama's separation from Colombia which was immediately recognized by the government of the United States on November 18. The canal was administered jointly by both countries until December 31st, 1999 when the Canal was handed over to Panama. |
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