Things to know about Panama

General Information of Panama:
Panama consists of three different landscape areas. The lowlands (below 2,300 ft.), make up over 85 percent of the country's territory, the temperate lands (2,300 to 4,900 ft.) and the highlands at elevations higher than 4,900 feet above sea level. There are more than 1,600 islands within the territorial area of Panama Over 500 rivers run through the country and more than half of Panama is still forested.
Benefits of PanamaInternational Banking Center
US Dollar is the Monetary Unit
No loss of Value in Currency Exchanges
Accessibility of Travel to Panama
Political Stability
Retirement Benefits
High Quality & Low Cost Health Care
Excellent Educational Opportunities
Progressive Legislation
Ideal Climate
No Natural Disasters
Superb Fishing, Boating, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, and Hiking
Service Oriented Workforce
Inexpensive Labor
Banking HoursMost banks are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m, to 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. There are a few that are open on Saturday.
Churches
As in most of Central America the majority of the population is Catholic, but all other denominations are represented and respected throughout the country.
Climate
Panama lies very close to the equator and enjoys a tropical climate Temperatures vary between 80-90 Fahrenheit (25-30 celsius). Humidity is very high. Panama has two seasons. The dry season lasts from January to mid-April and the rainy season from mid-April to December.
Clothing
Bring light-weight clothing A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are important if you are hiking or at the coast. Dress for business is formal so bring your suit - lightweight if you have one.
Communications
Telecommunications are first-class and direct-dial service to anywhere in the world is available. Fax, telex. internet and other telecommunication services are available.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards are accepted throughout the country and in most of the tourist areas.
Currency
The official currency is the Balboa and is equivalent to one US dollar. US dollars are widely accepted everywhere in Panama.
Departure Tax
A US $20 departure tax is charged when you exit the country.
Electricity
Panama has 110 volt and 60 cycles service.
Entry Requirements
A valid passport is needed to enter. The requirement for visas to enter Panama has been waived for many countries. It is best to check with a Panamanian consulate before traveling. A tourist card is sometimes needed to enter and can be bought at the airline counter or before entering immigration if you are going to overstay your allotted time extend your visa or tourist card with immigration. Heavy fines are levied for late exiting.
Government
Panama is a democratically elected Republic and elections are held every four years.

From Ocean To Ocean (Thru the Panama Canal) 1939

Building the US Panama Canal Zone 1904

Panama Canal

CANAL:

Family Re-Union

Dear Family,
We have to start thinking Re-Union....A couple of months ago, we mentioned Atlantic City so we could be close to Tia Elena. Unfortunately, she is not with us anymore. So, we proposed Atlanta, because it is very close to Tia Rita and Tio Hermy and there is a lot of Family here in the South... as well as the Markham Family is having their re-union in Atlanta. A decision is not final as to the location of the Re-Union. Yes, we are running out of time so I'm going to start sending out all the info we have gathered so we can keep pace and have a successful re-union.

Remember, before there were all the international trips and resorts, we gathered at the Gambles residence to have our very first Re-Union. It wasn't about what was there to do or where could we go...It started out as the generations above us fighting hard to find each other and stay in touch with each other. At least once a year we came together just to say hello and it grew from there. Please don't lose sight of the fact that the generations above us are almost all gone. We have to re-group and return to the idea of a Family Gathering and honor our Ancestors. We owe it to them and to ourselves. The next few Re-Unions should be about Honoring the older generations and it should take on this specific theme. We need everyone's participation to make this happen.

The Core -Group that are making the decisions for us, will be publishing location, date and time of our next gathering very soon. In the mean time, I will start sending info about our possibilities. When the final decision is made, You will be the first to know, very soon...

Punta Chame

Punta Chame description:

The town of Punta Chame is traditionally a small community of fishermen located at the end of the peninsula surrounded by mangroves which connects with the bay of Panama. As a peninsula the ocean provides 2 views; one a view of the Pacific coastline, and the other a view of open ocean located on the opposite side of the peninsula. During the 1970’s several laboratories were developed as shrimp hatcheres one of which is still operational today. One of the principal attractions of Punta Chame is an island called Isla Taborcillo of which is reputed to have been owned by legendary film star John Wayne, and of which a theme hotel has been developed in the style of the old west. In addition, the unique location and wind conditions make Punta Chame an ideal location for wind surfers. The entrance to the town of Punta Chame is located approx. one hour from Panama City in a town called Bejuco. From the Interamerican highway, Punta Chame is 25km. This route is currently being repaired from its entrance in Bejuco up to the end in Punta Chame. The route is currently in the compacting stage where a mixture of pebble and dirt will provide the base for 4 inches of asfalt.

My Property which I'm building a mini resort which started out as a B&B... as the construction continues, I will post more pictures....

General Information of Panama:
Panama consists of three different landscape areas. The lowlands (below 2,300 ft.), make up over 85 percent of the country's territory, the temperate lands (2,300 to 4,900 ft.) and the highlands at elevations higher than 4,900 feet above sea level. There are more than 1,600 islands within the territorial area of Panama Over 500 rivers run through the country and more than half of Panama is still forested.

Benefits of Panama
International Banking Center
US Dollar is the Monetary Unit
No loss of Value in Currency Exchanges
Accessibility of Travel to Panama
Political Stability
Retirement Benefits
High Quality & Low Cost Health Care
Excellent Educational Opportunities
Progressive Legislation
Ideal Climate
No Natural Disasters
Superb Fishing, Boating, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, and Hiking
Service Oriented Workforce
Inexpensive Labor
Banking Hours
Most banks are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m, to 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. There are a few that are open on Saturday.
Churches
As in most of Central America the majority of the population is Catholic, but all other denominations are represented and respected throughout the country.
Climate
Panama lies very close to the equator and enjoys a tropical climate Temperatures vary between 80-90 Fahrenheit (25-30 celsius). Humidity is very high. Panama has two seasons. The dry season lasts from January to mid-April and the rainy season from mid-April to December.
Clothing
Bring light-weight clothing A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are important if you are hiking or at the coast. Dress for business is formal so bring your suit - lightweight if you have one.
Communications
Telecommunications are first-class and direct-dial service to anywhere in the world is available. Fax, telex. internet and other telecommunication services are available.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards are accepted throughout the country and in most of the tourist areas.
Currency
The official currency is the Balboa and is equivalent to one US dollar. US dollars are widely accepted everywhere in Panama.
Departure Tax
A US $20 departure tax is charged when you exit the country.
Electricity
Panama has 110 volt and 60 cycles service.
Entry Requirements
A valid passport is needed to enter. The requirement for visas to enter Panama has been waived for many countries. It is best to check with a Panamanian consulate before traveling. A tourist card is sometimes needed to enter and can be bought at the airline counter or before entering immigration if you are going to overstay your allotted time extend your visa or tourist card with immigration. Heavy fines are levied for late exiting.
Government
Panama is a democratically elected Republic and elections are held every four years.