The region was initially home to a number of native tribes, and its population now comprises Mestizos (people from African and European origin). This country was settled in the sixteenth century by the Spanish who governed it for around four centuries. Panama became an independent nation on 3 November 1903 after the Republic of Gran Colombia was dissolved in 1830.

Salsa, merengue, reggae, vallenato, etc. are some of the popular forms of music while tamborito is the most common style of dance. Jazz, calypso and mento are also very important forms of music. People from the Wounaan and Emberá tribes are well known for their beautiful handicrafts such as baskets, masks, paintings, sculptures, bags and so forth.

Panama lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean in Central America. It shares its borders with Costa Rica and Colombia. It has a picturesque terrain that is made up of steep mountain slopes, uplands plains, coastal plains, hills and so forth. Volcan Baru is the highest point of elevation in the country.