Explored by Columbus in 1502 and by Balboa in 1513, Panama was the principal shipping point to and from South and Central America in colonial days. In 1821, when Central America revolted against Spain, Panama joined Colombia, which had already declared its independence. For the next 82 years, Panama attempted unsuccessfully to break away from Colombia. Between 1850 and 1900 Panama had 40 administrations, 50 riots, 5 attempted secessions, and 13 U.S. interventions. After a U.S. proposal for canal rights over the narrow isthmus was rejected by Colombia, Panama proclaimed its independence with U.S. backing in 1903.
Geography
The southernmost of the Central American nations, Panama is south of Costa Rica and north of Colombia. Panama is home to the Panama Canal that intersects at the countries' lowest level. Panama is marked by a chain of mountains in the west, moderate hills in the interior, and a low range on the east coast. There are extensive forests including the Darien National forest.
The Panama Canal
In 1524, King Charles V of Spain ordered a survey of a waterway across the isthmus in consideration of building a canal. In 1878, the Colombian government gave a construction concession to the French Canal Company. The effort ended in bankruptcy (for the company along with many lives lost ) nine years later, and the U.S. ultimately paid the French $40 million for their rights and assets. The U.S. project, built on territory controlled by the United States, began in 1904 and was completed in 1914.
