Panama City: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox country|demonym=Panamanian|conventional_long_name=City of Panama|year_end=1958|year_start=1757|image_flag=Flag of Genoese Panama.png|image_map=File:Locator GenoesePanama.png|map_width=220px|currency=Genoese lira <br> Colombian peso <small>(de facto)</small>|official_languages=[[Genoese language|Genoese]]|native_name=''Çitæ de Panamá''|capital=Citadel of Panama|today=[[Province of Panama]]}} |
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{{Nation |
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|common_name=Panamá |
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|full_name=Genoese Overseas Territory of Panamá |
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|local_name=Çittæ do Panamá |
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|flag=Flag_of_Genoese_Panama.svg |
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|established={{unbulleted_list |
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|Spanish settlement (1615) |
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|Possession transferred to Genoa (1757)}} |
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|capital= Çittæ do Panamá |
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|population= 650,000 |
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|languages= {{unbulleted_list | Ligurian (Official) | Spanish (Co-official)}} |
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|currency= Genoese Lira (GNL) |
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}} |
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Panama (Ligurian: ''Panamá'') is a Genoese Overseas Territory located on the Isthmus of Panamá. It is alternatively called ''Çittæ do Panamá'' (Ligurian for ''City of Panama''), or ''Panamá Paciffico'' (the nickname of the city). It was established in 1519 by the Spanish, and was the first permanent settlement on the Pacific Ocean. |
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=== Genoese Merchant Base === |
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The settlement of Panamá was originally established by the Spanish in 1519 on the Pacific Coast. Although administered by the Spanish, Genoese merchants were able to dominate the trade in the city, due to generous concessions made by the Spaniards (who had the Genoese Republic as an ally and their main banking base). Between 1586 and 1587, there were eleven Genoese in Panama. According to a census around 1587, Panama City had 548 inhabitants (some of them descendants of the first Genoese settlers), of whom 53 were foreigners and of these 18 were Genoese. |
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The '''City of Panama''' ([[Genoese language|Genoese]]: ''Çitæ de Panamá'') was an overseas territory of the [[Genoa|Genoese Republic]] located on the Darién Isthmus. It is notable for its commercial, banking, and transportation sectors; since 1899, it has boasted one of two American transoceanic canals in the world, the [[Panama Canal]]. During the colonial era, it was one of the many international city-states that dotted the globe at 223 [[Systems of measurement|mi²]]. |
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=== Panamá during and after the Anglo-Spanish War === |
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During the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Spanish_War_(1654%E2%80%931660) Anglo-Spanish War], various Spanish cities in the Caribbean and in the Americas were raided by English privateers, most notoriously, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Morgan Henry Morgan] of Jamaica. In our timeline, although the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Madrid_(1670) war had ended officially in 1670], Henry Morgan was still able to launch a devastating raid on Panama in 1671, unaware of the Treaty of Madrid signed a year earlier. This event caused the destruction of Panama and effectively ended Genoese presence in Panama. However, in this timeline, the coronation of [[Coronation of Queen Henrietta (1660)|Queen Henrietta]] of England in 1660 caused a treaty to be signed earlier (in 1669), due to the English and Spanish monarch's mutual distrust in France (who had begun [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Devolution encroaching on the Low Countries back in Europe]). This turn of events effectively spared Panama from this devastating privateer attack. |
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With its foundations laid by English and Spanish explorers during the 16th and 17th centuries, it officially became a Genoese colony following the [[Great Silesian War]]. Following [[Decolonization|a wave of decolonization]] and a string of European financial crises, the City of Panama, along with Genoese shares in the state-run Panama Canal Commission, were swiftly occupied by [[Colombia]] in 1958. It has been a ''de facto'' province of Colombia and regular associate of the [[Organization of The Southern Cross|Organization of the Southern Cross]] since demilitarization of the Isthmus in 1968. |
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=== Genoese Colony (1757) and further Genoese investments === |
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Continued favorable relations between Spain and Genoa allowed the Genoese to be multiple granted trade charters in the city throughout the 16th and 17th century. In 1757, the city was officially transferred to Genoa through the Treaty of Genova, as a Spanish gesture of goodwill for Genoa's banking support to Spain during the [[Great Silesian War]]. Although this treaty had confirmed the Genoese ownership of the city, Genoese merchants already had ''de facto'' control over trade and governance in Panama decades before. It was also in 1757 this year that Austria had granted Genoa the island of ''Sainte-Lucie'' (now [[Saint George]] Island). A portion of Saint George's economic success from its sugarcane plantations went to the development, expansion, and further fortification of the City of Panama. |
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=== The Race to the Pacific, and the Panama Canal === |
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The Spanish established Panamá in 1519, but Genoese merchants gained control of trade, aided by Spanish concessions. By 1587, Panama City had 548 residents, including 18 Genoese. In 1669, Queen Henrietta of England brokered a peace treaty with Spain, supported by Genoese merchants, to counter French expansion during the Anglo–Spanish War; this was known as the 1669 Treaty of Madrid. As a result of this agreement, infamous Anglo–Jamaican pirate Henry Morgan was driven out of Panama throughout the 1670s. |
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{{Main|Race to the Pacific}} |
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[[Genoa]] is one of the three main shareholders of the modern-day Panama Canal Commission, along with [[Mexico]] and [[Colombia]]. Since the mid-19th century, the governments of Colombia, Mexico, and Genoa had plans of a joint-effort canal project in the Isthmus of Panamá. Enthusiasm for the planned canal came from the need to escape the trade embargoes imposed upon the Latin American countries by the Amerikaaner sphere of influence (particularly a boycott led by New Netherland), as well as the need for a shorter route from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The project had used Genoa (through Panama) as the banking base for its financial aspects, and had a several engineers from Genoa involved. At the same time, the Dutch nations were building a separate canal in [[Boschland]], Central America. However, the Panama Canal was completed a few months before the Dutch canal did. |
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Throughout much of its history, Panama relied heavily on external sources for economic sustenance, notably [[Saint George]], [[Palissandria]], colonial Colombia, and Europe. However, it had various avenues of income. The [[Bank of St. George]], headquartered in Europe, wielded significant financial influence in Panama. Initially involved in the Genoese slave trade and the broader New Spain slave trade during the 16th century, Panama's role diminished following Genoa's acquisition of Saint George Island in 1757, culminating in the Republic of Genoa's eventual abolition of slavery in the 19th century. Panama also served as a refuge for European buccaneers and financial fugitives. In the late 18th century, it emerged as a key player in the guano trade alongside [[Peru]] and neighboring regions. Moreover, the city thrived in the shipping and cargo industries, extending its reach to distant locations such as [[Philippines|the Philippines]]. |
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=== Pre-19th Century Economy === |
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Historically, ''Çittæ do Panamá'' had been linked to the slave trade conducted by the Genoese. In its early years, ''Panamá'' was one of the hubs for the slave trade in Central America. However, after Genoa had acquired Saint George, the number of slaves coming in and out of ''Panamá'' had decreased, up until the Republic of Genoa's abolition of slavery in the 19th century. For most of its existence, ''Panamá'' was not considered to be self-sufficient and was heavily economically-tied to Saint George. However, the opening of Canâle do Panamá in 1888 stimulated economic activity in the city, especially in the shipping and commerce sector. |
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The Treaty of San Remo in 1757 officially transferred the City Panama to [[Genoa]] as a gesture of goodwill for financially supporting the Spanish Empire during the Great Silesian War. This merely formalized Genoese hegemony in the area, as Genoese merchants already were coming to dominate local politics and commerce. |
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=== Modern Economy === |
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Throughout the 20th century, ''Çittæ do Panamá'' had seen a boost in its economy, especially in the commerce, banking, and shipping sectors. It became the ''de facto'' center of commerce in Central America by the mid-20th century. The economy depends significantly on trade and shipping activities associated with the Panama Canal and port facilities located in ''Çittæ do Panamá''. Panama also hosts the headquarters of the Panama Canal Commission. The city has the highest number of casinos per capita in Central America. |
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Genoa, alongside the [[Mexico|Empire of Mexico]] and [[Colombia]], played a key role in constructing the Panama Canal, completed in 1899 through the jointly-owned Panama Canal Commission. Members of the Commission were notably economic and political opponents of the [[Amerikaener]] bloc, the latter supporting the construction of a canal in [[Boschland]] instead. Despite this intense competition, the Panama Canal successfully opened to the public before it, becoming economically lucrative by 1901. In the post-Canal era, Panama underwent a notable economic rejuvenation. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced a resurgence in commerce, banking, and shipping, solidifying its position as a commercial hub in Central America by the mid-20th century. Notably, Panama emerged as the de facto epicenter of commerce in the region. Additionally, it gained prominence in the entertainment sector, boasting the highest density of casinos per capita. |
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== Demographics == |
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Historically, the majority of the Panamán demographic were Afro-Panamians that descended from the slaves of pre-abolition Panama. Minority of the population were descendants of the few Genoese merchants stationed in Panama that settled in the city. However, after the construction of the Panama Canal and the boost of the city's economy during the 21st century, Panama had attracted immigrants from all over South and Central America to work in the service sector. Panama also has a large expatriate community, as well as a large community of Genoese retirees all the way from the Europe. |
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The economic instability in Genoa had repercussions on its Pacific colonies, leading to a humanitarian crisis due to the lack of essential supplies and services. In response, the Colombian government intervened to prevent further deterioration, occupying the islands despite opposition from the administration of Chiossone, the Potestate of Genoa at the time. Additionally, the situation worsened as Colombia acquired shares owned by Genoese investors in the Panama Canal. By 1958, Panama had effectively become a puppet state of Colombia, with Genoa losing control over the city-state. |
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With a small land area, the local government ''Çittæ do Panamá'' mandates vertical expansion for residential and commercial spaces, making ''Çittæ do Panamá'' the "skyscraper microstate". |
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* [[Genoa]] |
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{{Nations of the World}} |
{{Nations of the World}} |
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Latest revision as of 23:17, 27 February 2024
City of Panama Çitæ de Panamá | |
|---|---|
| 1757–1958 | |
 Flag | |
 | |
| Capital | Citadel of Panama |
| Official languages | Genoese |
| Demonym | Panamanian |
| History | |
• Established | 1757 |
• Disestablished | 1958 |
| Currency | Genoese lira Colombian peso (de facto) |
| Today part of | Province of Panama |
The City of Panama (Genoese: Çitæ de Panamá) was an overseas territory of the Genoese Republic located on the Darién Isthmus. It is notable for its commercial, banking, and transportation sectors; since 1899, it has boasted one of two American transoceanic canals in the world, the Panama Canal. During the colonial era, it was one of the many international city-states that dotted the globe at 223 mi².
With its foundations laid by English and Spanish explorers during the 16th and 17th centuries, it officially became a Genoese colony following the Great Silesian War. Following a wave of decolonization and a string of European financial crises, the City of Panama, along with Genoese shares in the state-run Panama Canal Commission, were swiftly occupied by Colombia in 1958. It has been a de facto province of Colombia and regular associate of the Organization of the Southern Cross since demilitarization of the Isthmus in 1968.
History
The Spanish established Panamá in 1519, but Genoese merchants gained control of trade, aided by Spanish concessions. By 1587, Panama City had 548 residents, including 18 Genoese. In 1669, Queen Henrietta of England brokered a peace treaty with Spain, supported by Genoese merchants, to counter French expansion during the Anglo–Spanish War; this was known as the 1669 Treaty of Madrid. As a result of this agreement, infamous Anglo–Jamaican pirate Henry Morgan was driven out of Panama throughout the 1670s.
Throughout much of its history, Panama relied heavily on external sources for economic sustenance, notably Saint George, Palissandria, colonial Colombia, and Europe. However, it had various avenues of income. The Bank of St. George, headquartered in Europe, wielded significant financial influence in Panama. Initially involved in the Genoese slave trade and the broader New Spain slave trade during the 16th century, Panama's role diminished following Genoa's acquisition of Saint George Island in 1757, culminating in the Republic of Genoa's eventual abolition of slavery in the 19th century. Panama also served as a refuge for European buccaneers and financial fugitives. In the late 18th century, it emerged as a key player in the guano trade alongside Peru and neighboring regions. Moreover, the city thrived in the shipping and cargo industries, extending its reach to distant locations such as the Philippines.
The Treaty of San Remo in 1757 officially transferred the City Panama to Genoa as a gesture of goodwill for financially supporting the Spanish Empire during the Great Silesian War. This merely formalized Genoese hegemony in the area, as Genoese merchants already were coming to dominate local politics and commerce.
Genoa, alongside the Empire of Mexico and Colombia, played a key role in constructing the Panama Canal, completed in 1899 through the jointly-owned Panama Canal Commission. Members of the Commission were notably economic and political opponents of the Amerikaener bloc, the latter supporting the construction of a canal in Boschland instead. Despite this intense competition, the Panama Canal successfully opened to the public before it, becoming economically lucrative by 1901. In the post-Canal era, Panama underwent a notable economic rejuvenation. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced a resurgence in commerce, banking, and shipping, solidifying its position as a commercial hub in Central America by the mid-20th century. Notably, Panama emerged as the de facto epicenter of commerce in the region. Additionally, it gained prominence in the entertainment sector, boasting the highest density of casinos per capita.
The economic instability in Genoa had repercussions on its Pacific colonies, leading to a humanitarian crisis due to the lack of essential supplies and services. In response, the Colombian government intervened to prevent further deterioration, occupying the islands despite opposition from the administration of Chiossone, the Potestate of Genoa at the time. Additionally, the situation worsened as Colombia acquired shares owned by Genoese investors in the Panama Canal. By 1958, Panama had effectively become a puppet state of Colombia, with Genoa losing control over the city-state.
