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Panama was governed as a colony of Spain from the 16th century until 1821, when independence was achieved. After independence from Spain, Panama joined Colombia as one of its provinces.
Towards the end of the 19th century, growing discontent in Panama with Colombian rule coincided with the requirement for a quicker way to cross the American continent.
With encouragement and military support from the United States, Panama proclaimed its independence from Colombia in November 1903.
The United States then acquired permission to build the Panama Canal.
Panama was paid $10 million U.S. and an annual fee of $250 000 per year. In return, the Panama Canal, the land on which it is constructed and the area surrounding it is leased to the United States in perpetuity and comes under direct United States control.
Created in 1903, Panama’s national flag is based on the design of the United States national flag and was officially adopted on the 4th of June 1904.
The construction of the canal began in 1904 and was completed in 1914. |
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The colours of the flag represent the two political parties of Panama, the Liberals (red) and the Conservatives (blue). White represents the peace between them and the equal division of the colours signifies that they both govern the country at different times.
The colours also have alternative symbolic meanings, blue represents the Pacific Ocean and
the Caribbean Sea; both lap the shores of Panama and red symbolises the blood spilt for Panama’s independence.
The blue star represents the civic virtues of purity and honesty and the red star symbolises the authority of the law. Together they represent loyalty and resilience. |
