Panama City Panama City

Panama City, Panama

Panama is a country on the isthmus linking Central and South America. It gained independence in 1903.
The famous Panama Canal is the miracle of human engineering, cutting through its center, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans creating an important shipping route.
On one end is Panama City with its modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs, contrasting on the other side with colonial building in the Casco Viejo.

Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo at night Ice cream trucks

Casco Viejo (Spanish for Old Quarter), also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe, is the historic district of Panama City. Completed and settled in 1673, it was built following the near-total destruction of the original Panamá city, Panamá Viejo in 1671, when the latter was attacked by pirates. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997.
It is a charming old town full of history, impressive architecture, great food, and more.

A few more information about Panama

About Canal: The Panama Canal is very important trade and commercial route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is a very easy transition for vessels dramatically shortening their waterway routes.
The idea of building a route across Panama dated back from the sixteen century. The French were the first to start the construction job back in 1880 and after losing almost 22.000 workers, thirteen years later they gave up. The United States began construction of a canal in 1904 and finalized it in 1914.

Also, based on what I found, the highest toll for going through the canal was charged to Norweigan Pearl cuise ship: $376,000 and the lowest one was charged to an individual. Richard Halliburton was charged 36 cents while swimming the canal in 1928.

Panama City

Panama hat and currency

The story is saying that Panama hats actually originated from Ecuador. They were shipped from Ecuador to Panama before being sent to other destinations around the world. However, among people they were always considered as Panama hats. Those hats were very popular all over the world when hat-wearing was very common.

Panama's official currency is the balbao. One balboa is equal to one US dollar. Despite having its own currency, in Panama USD are used as the currency. Panamanian balbao banknotes were produced in 1941, but were withdrawn after one week.

More building facades from Casco Viejo

Newly renovated building facades Casco Viejo at night Newly renovated building facades On of graffits in Casco Viejo Newly renovated building facades Newly renovated building facades Newly renovated building facades