About Panama

A Panamanian writer described Panama as "Bridge of the World and Heart of the Universe" and the fact that so many people, for pleasure or necessity arrive to Panama, provides this capital a unique international flavor that confirms this description. The capital city has just over 700,000 inhabitants but with a vitality typical of bigger cities with greater population.

 

The Isthmus of Panama was discovered by Spanish explorer Don Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1501, who was accompanied on that trip by Vasco Núñez de Balboa, discoverer of the Pacific Ocean later. A year later, in 1502, the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus visited the Isthmus in his fourth and last voyage. He tried to establish a colony but failed. In 1508 began the period of the Conquest of the Isthmus of Panama, which was known in that time as Castilla de Oro. The first colony was established by Don Pedro Arias Dávila, governor appointed by the Spanish Crown in Darien, in the region bathed by the Caribbean Sea.

 

In 1513, Balboa discovered the South Sea, later known as the Pacific Ocean. Six years later, he had disputes with the Governor, and was beheaded in the town of Acla in 1519. The exploration of the Pacific made possible to find a healthy place, and Pedrarias moved there the citizens, giving the city the name of Panama. The Pacific's exploration ended later with the discovery and conquest of Peru, as well as other territories in Central America.