Panama City is the capital and largest city of the Central American country of Panama. Once a small fishing village, the city took its name from the Spanish word panamá, which means “many fish.” The city is located near the Pacific Ocean entrance of the Panama Canal on the Gulf of Panama. Panama City became an important center for world trade after the canal was opened in 1914. Places of interest - The cathedral in Panama City.
Many of the structures built during colonial times still stand. The Plaza de Francis lies in the heart of the walled city. The older buildings also include a 17th-century cathedral and the restored San Francisco Church. Panama City's many modern buildings include the Palace of Justice, the National Palace, and the hotel El Panamá. Panama City is home to the national university, the University of Santa María la Antigua, and schools of dance, music, art, and theater associated with the National Institute of Culture. There are also a number of academies, libraries, museums, and centers for research. EconomyPanama City's economy depends largely on the traffic brought in by the Panama Canal and on providing services for canal workers. Its industries include breweries, clothing factories, sawmills, petroleum refineries, and steel-rolling mills. The city is also an important banking center. HistoryPanama City was originally a Native American fishing village. In 1519 a Spanish soldier named Pedro Arias Dávila founded the old city and called it Panamá Viejo. The Spanish quickly recognized the city's valuable location in the middle of a short strip of land between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They began shipping their gold from Peru to Panama and then to Spain. This attracted pirates to Panamá Viejo, which harmed the trade and the city's wealth. In 1595 the English explorer and sailor Sir Francis Drake tried unsuccessfully to take over the city. The city was completely destroyed in 1671 by the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan. Three years later Alonso Mercado de Villacorta from Spain rebuilt Panama as a walled city 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of the old site. The city's economy and political system declined, however. In 1751 the city and the nearby area became part of New Granada and eventually part of Colombia. In 1903 the country of Panama became independent and Panama City was named the capital. That same year the United States began a long history of involvement in Panama City's affairs when it was given the right to keep order in the city. These rights were given back to Panama's government in the mid-20th century. The United States also had much to do with the building of the Panama Canal. When the Panama Canal was opened to world trade in 1914, Panama City developed rapidly into a modern city. Population (2000 estimate), 463,093. |