Stark contrasts and rich diversity define Panama City. Here on the Amador Causeway (built from material excavated from the Panama Canal) a young San Blas Kuna woman rides in a pedicab, while recently built skyscrapers loom in the background.

Traffic stops at a red light at the Gatun Locks where

ships are lifted or lowered in the Canal.

When the light turns green and you drive ahead, to your right and above you a lock is lifting or lowering a ship. Not a good idea to run red lights in the Canal Zone.

Transportation on the canal provides 80% of Panama’s gross domestic product. Hence, the country’s economy depends on the global economy

remaining global.

Yes. I photograph newspapers. This pic shows how little temperature diversity there is. This is because, although rugged, elevations are not extremely high in Panama. The whole country is tropical lowlands, tierra

caliente.

Panama has a lot of monuments that commemorate the many monumental happenings in that small space. This is a statue of Columbus, who never actually landed on the Central American mainland.

This statue honors Vasco Nunez de Balboa who came to Panama in 1510 and “discovered” the Pacific Ocean in 1513.

Watching the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean in Panama City. Yep. That’s odd. We watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean in California. However, Panama is oriented in an east-west direction, while our coastline is oriented north-south. In the mid-right of the photo you can see a mosque. Muslim Arabs are one ingredient in the country’s

interesting cultural mosaic. There is also a large East Indian population who practice

Hinduism.

Modern Panama City is bracketed by colonial settlements in various stages of preservation and restoration. This image shows the second Panama City, known as Casco Antiguo or Casco Viejo, which was built after Captain Morgan sacked the initial one in 1671. Casco Antiguo has become a focus of historic restoration and real estate development recently. In this pic,kids from a nearby neighborhood are learning the methods of restoration as they help to restore this 17th century church.

Within the job site, I found this monument to Friar Tomas de Berlanga who brought bananas to the New World and “discovered the Galapagos Islands. He was also a bishop in Panama.

Here we are on the Atlantic, or northern, side of Panama at the mouth of the Rio Chagres. Captain Morgan used the river’s channel to make a surprise

attack on Panama City.

The sign tells the story or Morgan’s daring attack.

Back to Casco Antiguo, which was built because of Morgan’s attack. This is a common sight: restored colonial houses next door to colonial ruins in the process of being restored.

Another only partially restored block of Casco Antiguo.

Another interesting site at Casco Antiguo is the former military officers club, where General Manuel Noriega and his brain trust relaxed. In 1989 in a military action called Operation Just Cause, the US toppled Noriega and extradited him

to the US on drug-trafficking and money laundering charges.

The past presence of the US can be found throughout Panama. I was there on January 9th, a national holiday that celebrates a Panamanian protest against US occupation of the Canal Zone in 1964.

On January 9th, schools are closed, so are many businesses. And, the newspapers are full of stories about this important moment in the country’s development as a nation that wanted sovereignty over all of its territory.

Panama gained control of the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone in 1999, according to the terms of the treaty signed by President Carter and General Torrijos.

A Panamax ship enters the Miraflores Locks. Panama has successfully operated the canal since 1999. The term “Panamax” refers to the fact that marine cargo vessels have grown to the extent that they just barely can fit within the canal’s locks. Panama is building a new larger set of locks to accommodate

larger ships.

Large ports, such as this one, are part of the the canal complex.

This article reports that the canal widening project has attracted sufficient investment and produced such a large quantity of jobs that Panama largely avoided the economic decline of the past few years.

Meanwhile, in Honduras, remittances dropped by 11.1%.

Beisbol? Yes. Baseball is popular in Panama. More popular than soccer. This story is about a Panamanian, Roberto Kelly, who works as a first base coach for the SF Giants. I believe his nickname is “Bam-Bam”.

High rise apartment buildings and business complexes are sprouting in Panama City, as the country has become an appealing destination for global investors.

This article reports on Panama’s efforts to become a retirement destination for US

and European Baby Boomers.

This bi-lingual real estate bulletin promotes Panamanian real estate and reports on a new tourism initiative that uses former world boxing champion, Roberto Duran, as its spokesman. Baby Boomers are old enough to remember Duran, who was known as “Hands of Stone” until he became know for “no mas”.

“We have what you’re looking for.”

Panama City’s new Malecon, also known as Cinta Costera. It’s a waterfront with bike lanes, performance stages, gazebos and a yacht marina at one end. You can see how the place

might be an attractive vacation or retirement destination.

Down on the ground, one finds a very un-Central American sight.

And another one.

Away from Baby Boomer Land, the narrative changes and the messages take on a more Central American character.