PANAMA CANAL – INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
News: Panama's next president says
he'll try to shut down one of world's busiest migration routes
What's in the news?
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Panama stands on the brink of a significant shift
in its immigration policy, a change that has the potential to echo from the
dense Darien jungle to the United States border.
Key takeaways:
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President-elect José Raúl Mulino says he will shut
down a migration route used by more than 500,000 people last year.
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Until now, Panama has helped speedily bus the
migrants across its territory so they can continue their journey North.
Panama:
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Panama, situated in Central America on the Isthmus of Panama, serves as a pivotal link connecting North and South America.
Borders:
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Bordered by Costa
Rica and Colombia, it boasts a strategic location between the Caribbean Sea
and the North Pacific Ocean.
Geographical Features:
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Encompassing the isthmus and over 1,600 islands off
its Atlantic and Pacific shores, Panama is famed for housing the Panama Canal,
a vital waterway slicing through its midsection.
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The country hosts the largest rainforest in the
Western Hemisphere outside the Amazon Basin.
Cultural Diversity:
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The population of Panama comprises descendants of
indigenous peoples, Europeans, Afro-Caribbeans, and immigrants from various
corners of the globe.
Go back to basics:
Panama Canal:
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The Panama Canal is an engineered marvel,
facilitating maritime passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across
the Isthmus of Panama.
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Among the world's
most strategic artificial waterways, it spans approximately 80 kilometers
in length.
Constructed by - the United States between 1904
and 1914, the canal officially opened on August 15, 1914.
Operational Shift:
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Since 1999, the Republic of Panama has owned and administered the canal, following
its transfer from the United States.
Important Key Takeaways:
● The canal features a series of locks that regulate water levels, enabling ships to traverse the continental divide with ease.