MANILA, Philippines – Today (Wednesday), November 3, is the 107th National Day of the Republic of Panama. During this holiday, Panama celebrates with big parades in Panama City, the country’s capital. Traditional folk dancing in the streets is performed by both children and adults dressed in traditional costumes, wearing a pollera and a montuno.

Panama is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Panama is well known for its canal. The famous Panama Canal is 80 kilometers long and divides the country into eastern and western regions. It is an engineering marvel and one of the most important waterways in the world. Revenue from canal tolls represents today a significant portion of Panama’s Gross Domestic Product.

Panama has the third or fourth largest economy in Central America. It is the fastest growing economy and the largest per capita consumer in Central America. It has the largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere outside the Amazon Basin and its jungle is home to an abundance of tropical plants, animals, and birds – some of them are found nowhere else in the world.

We congratulate the people and government of the Republic of Panama led by H.E. President Ricardo Martinelli, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by H.E., Ambassador Ivan J. Crespo, on the occasion of their National Day. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors.