The Republic of Panama is a narrow strip of land, only 80 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. It is part of the occidental hemisphere, bordering to the North with the Caribbean Sea, to the South with the Pacific Ocean, to the East with Colombia and to the West with Costa Rica.
The Isthmus of Panama emerged from the seas over 3 million years ago and because of its geographical position became one of the most important historical commercial meeting points and pathways.
The Isthmus has been nicknamed "Crisol de Razas" ("Race Melting Pot") due to the great ethnic diversity linving in the country. Afro-Caribbean, Chinese as well as many other nationalities from Europe and the Middle-East came to Panama to help establish communications between the two seas, stimulating the economy and making Panama their home.
Panama has a population of 3 million inhabitants consisting of:
67% Mestizo and Mulatto
14% Afro-Caribbean
10% Caucasian
6% Amerindian (autochthonous)
3% Various Ethnic Origins
