* Panamanian Panama boys wear ropa del niño panameño







Panama



Figure 1.--The Canal Zone for many years was administered as art of the United States. This looks like an Ameeican boy in the Canal Zone, probably in the 1940s.

Panama is one of the smaller countries in the world, but because of the Panama Canal, is a very well known country. Even more than most other countries, Panama has been shaped by geography. Panam is an istmus, and a very narrow one. Once the Europeans appeared in the Pacific Ocean, the istmus became a very important commercial route. First for the Spanish Empire. The gold and silver from the Inca Empire would be brought across the Istmus for shipment to Spain. Eventually the istmus would become important for world trade, culminating in the construction of the Panama Canal. The country while located in Central America and was initially part of Colombia. There has since the building of the Panama Canal been an important relationship with the United States. For years the Panama Canal Zone was operated as jurisdiction of the United States. As a result, American fashions affected by the warm tropical climate were major fashion influences. It is not very clear how this boy is dressed. His light , loose fitting, cotton short pants are perfect for a tropical climate. It is hard to make out the details of his shirt, but looks to be a "T"-shirt. He wears ankle socks with leather shoes. We do not know much about Panamanian activities at his time. The most popular sport is soccer. There is also smoe interest in baseball. Although information is still limited, HBC has begun a page on Panamanian schoolwear. Panama is an etnic mix. Most of the population is of mixed race with Europeans (whites) (some 70 percent). This includes both mestizo (Amerindian and white) and mulatto (white and black). There were also Amerindian and West Indian mixes (about 15 percent). Europeans and some Americans are a smaller group (about 10 percent). We are less sure about the Indigenous or Amer-Indian poulation is defined. One sources suggests a small group (about 5 percent), but we have seen larger estimates. It probably depends on just how Amer-Indian is defined. About 0.1 milliom Amer-Indians live in isolation in eastern Panama (the Darrién Gap) and on the San Blas Islands. There is also a Chinese community of about 0.1 million. .

Geography

Panama is one of the smaller countries in the world, but because of the Panama Canal, is a very well known country. Even more than most other countries, Panama has been shaped by geography. Panam is an istmus, and a very narrow one. Once the Europeans appeared in the Pacific Ocean, the istmus became a very important commercial route. First for the Spanish Empire. The gold and silver from the Ica Empire would be briugjt across the Istmus for shipment to Spain. Eventually the istmus would become importanr for world trade, culminating in the construction of the Panama Canal.

History

Columbus explored The Caribbean cost of Panama (1502). Balboa first crossed the Istmus to discover the Pacific, confirming that the Spanish had found a new continent and not Asia. Panama was critical to the Spanish colonial empire. It was the the principal trans-shipping point for transporting Peruvian gold and silver to the Caribbean to load the treasure fleets bringing the treasure to Spain. The Central Americans revolted against Spain (1821). Panama unlike the rest of Central America was joined with Colombia which was already an independent republic. This meant that the South American country included an small, but important part of Central America. There was, however no land contection. There were no roads through the rugged Darien Gap (Tapón del Darién). This did not prove a happy union and the Panamanians soon attempted to breakaway from Colombia. One historian calculates that between 1850-1900 Panama had 40 different administrations, because of unsettled conditions, both in Colombia and Panama. In Panama there were 50 important riots, 5 attempted secessions, and 13 U.S. interventions. We are not sure what all these interventions were. Panama continued to be important as a transhipnent point and until the United States built the transconintental railway, was the primary connection between the Eastern United States and California. Many gold seekers crossed the Istmas to reach California after gold was discovered (1849). After the construction of the Suez Canal, world attention turned to Panama. The French tried to build a canal, but the result was failure and a massive financial scandal. Then American President Theodore Roosevelt decided that a canal could and should be built. An American proposal for canal rights over the Isthmus was rejected by the Colombian Senate. Panamaians seized the opportunity, proclaimed their independence, and received U.S. support (1903). The new government signed a treaty with the United States. Panama granted the United States canal rights in perpetuity, The United States proceeeded to build the canal--one of the great engeneering achievements of the age. Roosevelt saw it as his most important achievement. Panama received $10 million and an annual payment of $0.25 million. The United States increased this to $0.43 million (1933) and $1.93 million (1955). The Canal Zone was a 10-mile-wide strip across the Isthmus. Nationalist feeling in Panama gradually agitated for control of the Canal. Gen. Omar Torrijos Herrera and President Jimmy Carter signed treaties giving Panama gradual control of the Canal (1977). They also phased out U.S. military bases. The Panamanian Government guaranteed the Canal's neutrality. Reacting to large-scale crinal activity, the United States invaded Pamama and deposed and arrested President Noriega (1989).

Clothing

There has since the building of the Panama Canal been an important relationship with the United States. For years the Panama Canal Zone was operated as jurisdiction of the United States. As a result, American fashions affected by the warm tropical climate were major fashion influences. It is not very clear how this boy is dressed. His light , loose fitting, cotton short pants are perfect for a tropical climate. It is hard to make out the details of his shirt, but looks to be a "T"-shirt. He wears ankle socks with leather shoes.

Activiies

We do not know much about Panamanian activities at his time. The most popular sport is soccer. There is also smoe interest in baseball. Although information is still limited, HBC has begun a page on Panamanian schoolwear.

Ethnicity

Panama is an etnic mix. Most of the population is of mixed race with Europeans (whites) (some 70 percent). This includes both mestizo (Amerindian and white) and mulatto (white and black). There were also Amerindian and West Indian mixes (about 15 percent). Europeans and some Americans are a smaller group (about 10 percent). We are less sure about the Indigenous or Amer-Indian poulation. One sources suggests a small group (about 5 percent), but we have seen much larger estimates. It probably depends on just how Amer-Indian is defined. About 0.1 milliom Amer-Indians live in isolation in eastern Panama (the Darrién Gap) and on the San Blas Islands. There is also a Chinese community of about 0.1 million. .






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Created: February 9, 2004
Last updated: 3:55 PM 7/28/2020