Panama

Panama
Official Languages
Spanish is the official language of Panama.  Although it is Spanish, 14% of the population can speak English fluently.  Other languages include Japanese, Hebrew, Arabic and Eastern Yiddish and Korean are spoken by a small group of people in Panama.  Also, there are 14 traditional Panama languages.  Some include San Miguel Creole French, Panamanian Creole English and Teribe.  In Panama 93% of the people speaks Spanish.  Along with that, there are many people who speak English.  Also here the speakers of French make up 4% and Arabic make up 1%.   

History
A sailor from Venezuela was the first European to get to Panama.  He was heading there in 1501 in order to try to find gold.  The Cuevas and the Cocle tribes were the first known people in Panama until they were wiped out by the Spanish’s arrival in the 16^th century.  The Spanish had control over Panama for 300 years.  Panama started out as a destiny for its geography.  The Isthmus of Panama was seen as a connection between the two oceans.  The Real Audiencia de Panama was first stabled in 1538. Panama was extremely important to Spain because it was the most east way to ship things from Peru to Europe.  In 1821, Panama announced their separation from Spain.  At first Panama was a part of Columbia.  In 1903, Panama finally had its independence from Columbia.  In the 19^th century, the first people from Chinese immigrated to Panama to help build the Panama railroad. 

Interesting Facts
In many schools throughout Panama are starting to teach English in their education programs.  The literacy rate in Panama is 88%.  More than half of the population in Panama lives in the Panam City-Colon metro area.  There have been some historians who have said that in Panama 50% of the population has some sort of African descent.  According to population, Panama is the smallest Spanish speaking Latin American country.  Baseball, boxing and basketball are all very popular throughout Panama.  The population is right over three million people in Panama.