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PANAMAExplored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15. WHEN TO GO For dive travelers (who by definition are at sea level (lake divers excluded) equatorial Panama is hot and extremely humid. The dry season from January to May is the preferred season for travelers who plan to get off the boat and explore the country. Rainy season from May to December demands air-conditioning unless you happen to be among the very few who welcome sticky 90%+ humidity. FACTS ABOUT PANAMA - Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
- Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
- Area: 78,200 sq km
- Coastline: 2,490 km
- Max elevation: Volcan Baru 3,475 m
- Population: 3,292,693
- Capital: Panama
- Government: Constitutional democracy
- Currency: balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
- Internet Country Code: .pa
- Calling code: 507
- Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
- Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
- Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
- Major Industries: construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
- Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
- Environmental issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
- Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
- Average sea surface temp: 28 °C
- Average annual rainfall: 2,970 mm
- Average annual tourist arrivals: 1,406,013
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