PANAMA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
 
Panama's Independence Day
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC


November 1, 2012

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Panama as you celebrate 109 years of independence this November 3.

From the islands of Bocas del Toro and ports of Colón to the jungles of the Darién and the Panama City skyline, Panama’s natural beauty and cultural diversity are just a couple of your country’s many treasures. Today, Panama is experiencing dynamic economic growth, which promises to unlock even greater opportunity and prosperity for the Panamanian people. We also celebrate the implementation of our historic Trade Promotion Agreement which will create jobs and expand opportunity for both of our people.

The United States stands with you as a partner and friend, and we look forward to building on our partnership in the years to come. "¡Felicitaciones!"
　


Locator Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
Explored 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 (estimated to cost $5.3 billion) 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.




Kuna Indians rowing past their villages in the San Blas Islands of northeastern Panama