Panama in a Nutshell

Here is some general information that would give you some idea about Panama, its people and life there in general. The best thing of course is to actually go to Panama and experience it first hand.

General Data

The people of Panama

The culture, customs, and language of the Panamanians are predominantly Caribbean Spanish. Ethnically, the majority of the population is mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) or mixed Spanish, Indian, Chinese, and West Indian. Other minority races, including West Indian and indigenous Indian (Kuna, Guaymi, and Embera or Choco), complete a colorful ethnic tapestry.

Spanish is the official and dominant language; English is a common second language spoken by the West Indians and by many Panamanian professionals and businessmen. More than half the population lives in the Panama City-Colon metropolitan corridor. The rural areas are not heavily populated, and most of the rural population lives west of the canal.

Panama is rich in folklore and popular traditions. Brightly colored national dress is worn during local festivals and the pre-Lenten carnival season, especially for traditional folk dances like the tanborito. Lively salsa--a mixture of Latin American popular music, rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock-- is a Panamanian specialty. Indian influences dominate handicrafts such as the famous Cuna textile molas which generally depict native wildlife and themes. Artist Roberto Lewis' Presidential Palace murals and his restoration work and ceiling in the National Theater are well known and admired.