Panama, the southernmost part of both Central and North America, is the largest economy city in Central America. The word Panama is believed to mean “abundance of fish, trees, and butterflies” by many of the Panamians. However, the etymology of the word is still unknown to many. Panama is dominant for its central spines of mountains and hills that form the continental divide in each region. It is divided into nine provinces and has a total of ten cities. Each region is governed by its own hired local authorities called governors. In order to learn and explore the country of Panama, we will learn its people, animals, nature and climate, its adventures, music and agriculture… one by one…..

PEOPLE – Panama has a total population of 3,360,474 (July 2009) with the majority of people who areRoman Catholic (85%) and with Spanish as their mode of communication. As of the year 2000, the majority of people living in Panama are Mestizos, Blacks and Mullatos.

ANIMALS – The national animal of Panama is actually a toad!!!But what make it more symbolic and interesting is that it’s a golden frog!!! The people in Panama considered it as a symbol of luck appearing even in lottery tickets. The golden frog is capable of producing poison to protect themselves from predators. However, since the late 2006, reports showed that the golden frog is to its near extinction.

NATURE AND CLIMATE – The tropical climate of Panama supports the abundance of tress and plants in each region. April to December are the months of rainy season. In many places, there are multi-canopied swamps on one side of the country. Near Costa Rica, there is an abundance of banana plantations as well as mangrove swamps along the region.

ADVENTURE – The famous Canopy Adventure which is located near El Valle allows tourist to experience ecotourism by using safety modern climbing techniques. The Canopy Adventure has been the favorite of many Panamanians, old and young. If you are interested in water adventure, try the famous San Blas Archipelago by Sea Kayaking and snorkeling. Relax in the shade of palm trees and experience another adventure by meeting the natives of Panama— the Kuna’s. These people were known for their beautiful “Molas (fabrics)” which they manufacture and sell.

MUSIC – Like the Philippines, the culture and music of Panama is influenced by European Music, basically; Spanish Music. The music in Panama is the product of music coming from Central and North America with a bit of Spanish. For example is the ‘tamborito.”

AGRICULTURE – Due to a vast land area, crop is the largest within the agriculture. Banana is the leading export item.  The production of corn, coffee, beans and tobacco, fruits and non traditional products like melon is widely produced. Sugar, is also the second largest production and export item.

Defying the current economic worldwide issues and concerns, Panama will be a desirable country that anyone can visit and tour and learn its people, animals, nature and climate, have an adventure of their life, listen to a hybrid of Spanish Music; and cultivate its famous crops.

Have you heard about a golden frog? It’s existence? Is it a toad or a frog? Where can we find it? What’s make it extraordinary from the rest of the amphibians? Will it bring luck?

The people of Panama called this smooth gold skinned like frog a “golden frog.” Some considered them to belong to the family of Atelopus Varius or locally known as “clown frog,” due to the resemblance in color. However, in 2007, the golden frog has been considered endangered and some studies showed that it belong to a different subspecies. Furthermore, certain measures have been used to preserve its existence.

The golden frog is called as the “True Toad” or “ Bufonidae.” Its difference from other toad’s and frogs is its capability to secrete a poison that helps protect themselves from predators. Its poison has a certain chemical called“zetekitoxin” which can be very harmful and deadly. According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, the adult males measures 35 millimeters to 40 millimeters and weighs 3 grams to 4 grams. On the other hand, the adult females measures 45 millimeters to 55 millimeters and weighs about 4 to 7 grams. The golden frog inhabits the tropical forest of Panama particularly the mountains and near streams.

If we hear normal frogs croaking especially during rainy seasons, the golden frog communicate by means of a semaphore movement. In short, they communicate by means of waving movements. How do they mate? Like other amphibians, they do it by means of amplexus—- a form of pseudocopulation in which the male amphibian grasp the female with his front legs as part of the mating process. At the same time, he fertilizes the female eggs with the fluid containing sperms. The amplexus of true toads occurs axillary than in aquatic and terrestrial areas.

The golden frog is as lucky as it looks!!! It is a national symbol in Panama appearing in lottery tickets. The people of Panama believed that when the true toad dies in turn into gold which bring luck to those who have seen it.

Despite its lucky image, it has been proved to be endangered. It is believed to be due to pollution and fungal infections that spread in EL Valle, the home of the famous golden frog.

So, who wants to see the golden frog and bring luck in their life?…..