The culture of Panama is a mix of African, indigenous American, North American and Spanish influences, which are expressed in its traditional arts and crafts, music, religion, sports and cuisine. Panamanian music is popular throughout Latin America, and the country is also known for its many festivals. Other renowned Panamanian artists in different genres include Grammy award winner Rubén Blades, jazz musician Danilo Pérez, Los Rabanes and Carlos Eleta Almarán. Whatever the reason, Panamanians' love for their country is contagious; a trip here will tie their innermost fibers to the country.
Many Panamanians are firmly convinced that their country is different from others in the region, perhaps because of its intense history or its unique geographical location. Panamanians are often surprised to hear that Americans prefer to send a sick family member to a health facility rather than care for them at home. Panama City's Chinatown is a great place to try authentic Panamanian-Chinese food, which is quite a flavor adventure in and of itself. In 1977, after lengthy negotiations, President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty that abolished the Canal Zone as a colonial enclave, provided for Panamanian ownership of the canal in 2000 and ordered the closure of U.S.
military bases. This dish is similar to the sancocho that many non-Indian Panamanians eat, a poultry or meat soup cooked with root vegetables and corn. Like the practices of people in other Latin American countries, Panamanians don't attach much importance to promptness. This sentiment is best summarized in the popular Panamanian phrase, bridge of the world, heart of the universe, which means “bridge of the world, heart of the universe”.
These Channel Company employees, mostly white, led isolated lives and were biased against the Panamanian population.
