Summary
The southernmost country in Central America, Panama is located on the Isthmus of Panama, the narrow land bridge that connects North and South America. Approximately the size of South Carolina, Panama is a tropical nation known for its natural beauty, diverse plant and animal life, and vibrant music and culture. Once a part of Colombia, Panama left its neighbor to the east when Colombia rejected a U.S.-led plan to build a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Today, more than 14,000 ships pass through the Panama Canal each year, carrying more than 200 million tons of cargo. Complete with full-color photographs and maps, Panama delves into the history, culture, economy, government, and geography of the land referred to as “The Bridge of the World.”
Specifications
Full-color photographs and maps. Facts at a glance. History at a glance. Bibliography. Further reading. Index.
About the Author(s)
Series consulting editor and coauthor Charles F. Gritzner is Distinguished Professor of Geography Emeritus at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Gritzner has served as both president and executive director of the National Council for Geographic Education and has received the council’s highest honor, the George J. Miller Award for Distinguished Service to Geographic Education, as well as other honors from the NCGE, Association of American Geographers, and other organizations.
Coauthor Linnea C. Swanson is a geography major at South Dakota State University. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. and academic career in the field. As a young geographer, Swanson looks forward to exploring our fascinating world and learning more about its varied people and places for decades to come.