Travel Single in Panama?
The Republic of Panama;population 3,000,463 est. July 2004. The southernmost country of Central America. Located on the eastern end of the isthmus forming a land bridge connecting Central and South America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. The first European to explore the isthmus was Rodrigo de Bastidas sailing westward from Venezuela in 1501 in search of gold. Christopher Columbus visited the isthmus year later and established a short-lived settlement in the Darien. Tortuous trek done by Vasco Nunez de Balboa's from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 1513 demonstrated that the isthmus was indeed the path between the seas and it quickly became the crossroads and marketplace of Spain's empire in the New World. The route known as the Camino Real or Royal Road, was where gold and silver were brought by ship from South America and hauled across the isthmus and loaded aboard ships for Spain. In 1846, the discovery of gold in California spurred the economic development of the country. The result was the construction of the railway, which joined the two oceans for the first time, and the beginning of the construction of the French Canal. The city gradually changed its aspect, transforming itself into a cosmopolitan city with a 19th century European resemblance. On November 3 1903, the independence from Colombia was declared. Domestic politics and international diplomacy in the 20th century was tied to the Panama Canal and the foreign policy of the United States. Because of its historical reliance on commerce, the country is above all a melting pot...read more
A 30-year dream. A 50-mile shortcut. A timeless achievement. A 50-mile shortcut to the Pacific lying just north of the equator is one of the most extraordinary human achievements ever. The building of the Panama Canal was a massive feat of engineering and ingenuity that cost millions of dollars and thousands of lives. NOVA offers a unique opportunity to explore the mind-boggling undertaking through historic film footage, rare archival photographs and insightful narration from author David McCullough. Get an unprecedented look at the Canal's dangerous 30-year construction and wondrous present-day operation. Meet the persevering pioneers whose vision and determination overcame tremendous physical—and fiscal—obstacles. Understand why France abandoned the project after ten years and 20,000 deaths. Work alongside the builders who turned a fantastic dream into a fascinating reality. See immense steamshovels carve the earth. View the amazing "water elevators" that lift huge vessels 85 feet. Watch high-speed photography capture a lock passage. And much more! On one DVD5 disc. Region
coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: 4 x 3 full frame.
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