How much do you know about the history, culture, and economy of Panama?

Panama is located in southern Central America, adjacent to Colombia to the east and Costa Rica to the west, with the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Caribbean Sea to the north. As an important country in Central America, Panama has a long history and rich culture. The following will introduce Panama's geography, history, culture, economy and other aspects. In terms of geography, Panama has a narrow strip of land connecting North and South America, with a total area of 75,517 square kilometers. The country is divided into 10 provinces and 3 autonomous regions, and its geographical location makes it one of the most important trade hubs in the world. Panama has a world-famous waterway, the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, allowing ships to travel from South and Central America through Panama to North America and Europe, becoming one of the key channels for global maritime trade. In terms of history, Panama had settlements of indigenous people during the pre-Columbian era. Later, it was conquered by Spanish colonizers and became a part of Spain. Under the influence of the independence movement, Panama gained independence from Colombia in 1903 and became an independent country. Since then, Panama has experienced political turmoil and military rule until the US military invaded in 1989 and overthrew the dictatorship. In the 1990s, Panama began to transition towards democracy and freedom, and has since become a stable democratic country. In terms of culture, Panama has a diverse cultural heritage that reflects its diverse history and social background. Panama's folk culture is renowned worldwide, with the most famous being the "Carnavales" festival, one of Panama's most important cultural festivals and one of the largest in Central America. In addition, Panama has many traditional cultural activities such as food, music, and dance. In terms of economy, Panama is a rapidly growing country, with its economic growth mainly relying on the service industry, logistics, and finance. Panama has first-class ports and modern transportation systems, and is also an international financial center with a stable currency and political environment, attracting a large amount of international investment. In addition, Panama also has abundant natural resources, including minerals, hydro resources, and agricultural resources, which provide important support for its economic development. In addition to economic development, Panama also focuses on protecting the environment and natural resources. It has a variety of ecosystems nationwide, including forests, oceans, lakes, and rivers, most of which remain in their original natural state. Panama is also committed to protecting its unique biodiversity, including hundreds of rare animals and plants such as jaguars, monkeys, and birds, which attract a large number of ecotourists. Overall, Panama is a country with a long history, diverse culture, rapid economic development, abundant natural resources, and strong environmental protection awareness. Its unique geographical location and possession of the world-famous canal make it one of the important trade hubs in the world. At the same time, its rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, and beautiful natural landscapes also make Panama a popular tourist destination.