Panama
From RationalWiki
A man, a plan, a canal. Panama!
Walk softly and carry a big stick.
This is an isthmus.
[edit] The serious stuff
Panama is a country in Central America carved out of Colombia in 1903 and is best known for the Panama Canal. Panama declared its independence from Colombia in 1903 and was immediately aided in maintaining its independence by the intervention of United States troops. The Canal was built by the U.S., and the Canal and the zone surrounding it administered as a U.S. territory until 1979 when it was turned over to Panama due to the Panama Canal Treaties signed during the Jimmy Carter administration, for which conservatives have never forgiven him.
U.S. control over the Canal Zone became a contentious issue between the U.S. and Panamanian governments, resulting in a 1964 incident in which U.S. personnel and Panamanians clashed for three days over whether the U.S. flag should be flown alongside the Panamanian flag, or the U.S. flag flown alone, in the Canal Zone. January 9 is celebrated as Martyr's Day in Panama in rememberance of the event. The Canal Zone as a U.S. territory ceased to exist in 1979 and officially became part of Panama, much to the chagrin of the "Zonians" (mostly U.S. citizens) who lived there, although a large contingent of U.S. military personnel and civilian Panama Canal employees remained stationed around the Canal until 1999.
John McCain was born in the Canal Zone, making it questionable whether he is Constitutionally eligible for the U.S. Presidency should he win the November 2008 election. (Others who have faced this issue include Barry Goldwater, born in the Arizona Territory before it was admitted as a U.S. state, and George Romney, born in Mexico to U.S. Mormon expats, but neither were elected and this remains an open question which has never been decided by any court.)
In 1968, Omar Torrijos staged a military coup and assumed control as the military dictator of Panama. He died in a plane crash in 1981; this was followed by the assumption of power by Manuel Noriega in 1983. The U.S. invaded Panama in 1989 to depose Noriega and install a U.S. friendly government (who had run as an opposition slate in the May 1989 elections, which Noriega nullified). Noriega had been a U.S. ally until about 1988.
[edit] The fun stuff
The densely-rainforested Darien Province region of far eastern Panama remains the only portion of the Pan-American Highway never to have been constructed, making it impossible to drive from North America to South America without arranging for alternate transport between Panama and Colombia. (A few intrepid adventurers attempt the journey in four wheel drive vehicles, bicycle, or on horseback though).
Ancon Hill, easily spotted by the huge Panamanian flag flying over it, overlooks Panama City, the former U.S. Canal Zone town of Balboa, and the Bridge of the Americas nee Thatcher Ferry Bridge. Driving across the Bridge of the Americas while coming down from an LSD trip as the sun is rising over the Canal is not recommended, but it has been done and survived by at least one person. Not that anyone around here would ever suggest such a thing. Rumor has it somebody built a new bridge over the Canal in 2004 called the Centennial Bridge.
Oh, and there is some really good fishing in Gatun Lake. Cross the wooden bridge into the near-ghost town of Gamboa, rent a boat, and have at it. Bring sunscreen and watch out for snakes, mosquitos, aquatic sloths, and other critters. If you're really masochistic and enjoy getting totally eaten alive by insects, the Smithsonian Institute's Barro Colorado Island is nearby. The scuba diving on the Atlantic coast is great; not so good on the Pacific coast. Hint: the former U.S. jungle training center of Fort Sherman and the old pirate village of Portobelo are the places to begin your scuba adventures, and you can drive out to the old Spanish fort nearby if you have the urge to play live-action Dungeons and Dragons (Arr ye mateys! watch out for snakes and giant rats). Stay out of Colon unless you want to get robbed! The water in Panama City and around the Canal is fine to drink, but don't drink the water in Darien Province, you have been warned. Panamanian beer is awful stuff; Atlas is okay but don't bother with the others. Best place to surf is..never mind, WTF is this, a travel guide? Yanqui go home!!!
A strain of marijuana called "Panama Red" inspired a popular song in the seventies.
