A Panama Guide

The official transfer of leadership of the Panamanian government is now less than a month away.  Currently sitting President Martin Torrijos and member of the ruling PRD party are currently rushing too cross their final “t’s” and dotting their final “i’s” before the last remnants of their power slips away at 4 months and 10 months into power.

Back in 2004, the Panamanian Constitution was amended.  Their were several large changes such as the removal of the position of Second Vice-President (looks like Rubén Arosemena will be the last one) and most importantly the start date of new government was moved from a September 1 start date to July 1.

This however this did not stop the National Assembly from attempting to pay themselves for the extra two months of not working.  Considering legislators are paid handsomely above the general population – paying legislators two months of salary for sitting around and watching reruns on TV was not popular.  So much so that the Panamanian National Comptroller had to step in and say it would be illegal to pay legislators for working.  Nice try guys.

In the end, Panama gets a new president in Martinelli and gets to flush out some of the flotsam from its government a little earlier this time around.  Let’s hope Martinelli’s government won’t need a flushing in 5 years or earlier.

According to a study conduct at the Field Museum in Chicago, several species of raptors were measured and the Panamanian Champ the Harpy Eagle, only placed tops on 1 out of the 7 measurements and that was for talon size.  Other studies have placed the Harpy Eagle as the largest due to it’s bulk compared to the Philippine Eagles (the top eagle on 5 out of the 7 measurements), however when compared to the Steller’s Sea Eagle that breeds on the Russian Kamchatka peninsula which has been recorded at weighing in at 28 pounds – the Harpy once again places second.

Philippine v. Harpy in Field Museum study:

Total Length (from tip of bill to tip of longest tail feather):
1. Philippine Eagle (average) = 1021 mm or 1.021 meter
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle (average) = 900.75 mm or 0.90075 meter
3. Golden Eagle (single) = 884 mm
4. Kenyan Eagle (single) = 855 mm
5. American Bald Eagle (single) = 829 mm

Bill Gape
1. Philippine Eagle = 73.66 mm
2. American Bald Eagle = 71 mm
3. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 64.75 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 60 mm
5. Kenyan Eagle = 55 mm

Bill Culmen
1. Philippine Eagle = 72.33 mm
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 51 mm
3. American Bald Eagle = 50 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 45 mm
5. Kenyan Eagle = 45 mm

Bill Height
1. Philippine Eagle = 50.66 mm
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 36 mm
3. American Bald Eagle = 33 mm
4. Kenyan Eagle = 33 mm
5. Golden Eagle = 27 mm

Tarsus (Foot length)
1. Philippine Eagle = 145 mm
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 121.25 mm
3. Kenyan Eagle = 115 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 110 mm
5. American Bald Eagle = 95 mm

Talon (Hind toe claw)
1. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 64.75 mm (yeah we’re number one!)
2. Kenyan Eagle = 62 mm
3. Philippine Eagle = 55.66 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 55 mm
5. American Bald Eagle = 39 mm

Wing Chord (from bend or shoulder to tip of longest primary feather)
1. Golden Eagle = 654 mm
2. Philippine Eagle = 608.66 mm
3. American Bald Eagle = 570 mm
4. Kenyan Eagle = 545 mm
5. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 544.75 mm

Sorry Champ, you aren’t the largest Eagle, but I still wouldn’t want to mess with you!

One of the favorite meals to eat in Panama is sancocho.  While there are many recipes for sancocho, here is a simple one for you to enjoy.

1 entire chicken, cut into pieces
3 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon of minced cilantro
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 garlic-minced cloves
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 large chopped onion
2 large carrots chopped
2 corncobs cut into quarters
3 lbs yucca/cassava chopped
4 cups chicken stock

Rinse the chicken.
In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, cilantro, oregano, garlic, and olive oil. Rub the mix on chicken and allow marinading for 10 minutes.
Heat a pot over medium heat.  Place chicken in pot
Heat a large pot over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pot, place a lid on it, and allow it to simmer for 7 minutes.
Add onion and chicken stock. Allow soup to boil and simmer until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Add the carrots, corncob and yucca.
Bring pot to gentle simmer and cook until the carrots, corn and yucca are cooked thoroughly (approximately 10 minutes).
Serve with rice and enjoy.

► Official Name: Republic of Panama

► Location: Relatively in the center of the Western Hemisphere, as a natural bridge between North America and South America at the following coordinates: The 7º12’07″ and 9º38’46″ of North Latitude and the 77º09’24″ and 83º03’07″ of West Longitude. The country is bordered to the North by the Atlantic Ocean/ Caribbean Sea, to east by the Republic of Colombia, to south by the Pacific Ocean and to the west by the Republic of Costa Rica.

► Capital: Panama City

► Nationality: Panamanian

► Population: 3,191, 319 (est.)

► Distribution by Age: 0-14 years 37.0%

15-59 years 56.3%, 60+ years 6.7%

► Area: 75,517 Km2

► Divisions: 9 provinces and 5 comarcas

► Government: Constitutional Democracy

► Legal System: Based on Civil Law, judicial review of legislative acts by a Supreme Court of Justice, with acceptance of jurisdiction of international courts with certain reserved rights.

► Language: Spanish, while English is widely spoken in Panama City, Colon and Bocas del Toro.

► Literacy: 90%

► Climate: Tropical with an annual temperature of 27 C.

► Religion: Free Religion. The majority of the country’s population is Christian. The breakdown is approximately 80% Roman Catholic, 10% Evangelical and the remaining 10% divided between Jews, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons.

► Time Zone: GMT -5

► Currency: American Dollar, with Panamanian Balboa coins with the same equivalent as American coins.

► Commerce: Open between the hours of 8 to 10 AM in the morning and close 6 to 8 in the evening.

► Tips: Normally 10% of the bill

► Driver’s License: Visitors are allowed to drive up to 90 days with a foreign license

► Electricity: 110 volts – 60 cycles

► Dress: Based on climate. It is recommend the use f light articles of clothing. For business attire is formal, a light suit for men and a pant suit for women.

► Airlines: The national airline is Copa Airlines with flights to both North and South America. Other airlines include – Taca Airlines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Iberia and KLM.