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    United States: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Go Now!

    United States
    Explore the vast openness and wildlife found roaming in the western United States, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (pictured) in North Dakota. Begin Your Journey!

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    Trinidad & Tobago: Beautiful Coastline. Go Now!

    Trinidad & Tobago
    These Caribbean islands mix Indian, African, and European cultures alongside beautiful beaches. Go Now!

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    St. Kitts & Nevis: Nevis Island. Go Now!

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    This island nation mixes aspects of European, African, and Caribbean culture... not to mention incredible beaches. Go Now!

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    Honduras: Children. Go Now!

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    The original banana republic, Honduras has made a name for itself with the banana trade; however foreign influences have also vastly altered the culture. Go Now!

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    Mexico: Sunrise over the mountains in Puerto Vallarta. Go Now!

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    Although many people just go for the beaches, Mexico offers impressive mountain vistas (pictured in Puerto Vallarta), great food, and historic ruins that compete with the best in the world. Begin Your Journey!

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    This Caribbean island has hints of British culture, but is wholly Caribbean as well. Explore Barbados!

Architecture of Panama

Panamanian Architecture - Panama Canal's Gatun Locks
Panama Canal

No early architecture in Panama survived to the present as the indigenous people rarely, if ever, built from stone. Most historic architecture was constructed with wood so no pre-Columbian monuments exist today.

With the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s they soon recognized the country's importance and made Panama one of their bases in Central America. This led to great wealthy and construction to be placed in the region, including the growth of architecture.

Spanish construction began in their capital of Panama City, which was later moved to Casco Antigua (whose name later changed to Panama City and is the current capital). The Spanish brought with them the styles from Europe as many cities were grid based and the central square was focused on a church and governmental buildings.

Most churches built in colonial Panama reflected the styles of Spain at the time, leading to a large number of Baroque churches. The houses also reflected Spanish housing as many adopted a Spanish Mediterranean style with red tiled roofs.

Panamanian Architecture - Panama City
Panama City

The greatest architectural (or engineering) achievement of the country came in the early 1900s though with the building of the Panama Canal (1880-1914). This canal, primarily built by the Americans altered Panama, and the world, forever as it shortened shipping routes. More importantly it also brought great wealth to the country of Panama.

This wealth has led to greater architectural advancement as the county has the money and resources to build. Both the modern and post-modern architectural styles have arrived in Panama with full force, most particularly in Panama City and in coastal cities.

This page was last updated: May, 2014