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=Panama |
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|full_name=City of Panama |
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|local_name=Çittæ do Panamá |
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|flag=Flag_of_Genoese_Panama.png |
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|map=Locator_GenoesePanama.png |
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|established=1757 |
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|languages= Genoese (official) </br> Spanish </br> [[Mandarin]] </br> Cebuano </br> Others |
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|currency= Genoese lira (GNL) </br> Colombian peso (COP) |
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|government_type=Republic}} |
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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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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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The colony was established in 1519 by the Spanish empire and Genoese bankers. In 1757, the city was formally transferred to Genoese control after the [[Great Silesian War|Silesian War]]. The Panama Canal was opened in 1899, transforming the city's economy and demographics. Today, the city is known for its towering skyscrapers, casinos, corruption scandals, and cosmopolitan culture. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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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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==== Early colonial history (1519-1669) ==== |
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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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==== Treaty of Madrid (1669) ==== |
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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. [[Henrietta I|Queen Henrietta]] of England, coronated in 1660, managed to sign a peace treaty with the Spanish in 1669 due to mutual concern over [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Devolution French expansion]. This diplomacy was heavily supported by Genoese merchants and bankers, who viewed the efficiency as having prevented devastating attacks on the Genoese presence in New Spain. |
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Continued favourable relations between [[Spain]] and [[Genoa]] allowed the Genoese community in Panama to be granted multiple trade charters in the city throughout the next century. |
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==== Treaty of San Reumo (1757) ==== |
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In 1757, the city was officially transferred to Genoa through the Treaty of San Reumo. This was a Spanish gesture of goodwill in return for Genoa's immense financial aid to Spain during the [[Great Silesian War]]. |
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Although this treaty had confirmed the Genoese ownership of the city, Genoese merchants already had ''de facto'' control over trade and local politics in Panama. The same year, [[Austria]] had granted Genoa the island of [[Saint George]]. A portion of Saint George's profits from its sugarcane plantations went to the development, expansion, and further fortification of the City of Panama. |
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==== ''Canâle do Panamá'' ==== |
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{{Main|Race to the Pacific}}[[Genoa]] is one of the three main shareholders and architects of the modern-day Panama Canal Commission, along with [[Mexico]] and [[Colombia]]. During the mid-19th century, the governments of Colombia, Mexico, and Genoa created plans in order to construct a canal together. Incentives for the canal included: |
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* Embargoes placed on the region by [[Amerikaener]] countries, most notably [[New Netherland]] and [[Boschland]] |
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* Competition with the Boschland Canal Commission |
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* The long-established vision of a shorter route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans |
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Genoa provided most of the financial support and contributed several engineers. Technicians came from [[France]], Mexico, and the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Laborers were imported from [[China]], [[Japan]], [[Palissandria]], and other nations. [[File:PanamaCanalCommission.png|thumb|Modern logo of the Panama Canal Commission]] |
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===== Completion of the Canal ===== |
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At the same time, the Amerikaener countries were building a separate canal in [[Boschland]]. Despite this challenge, the Panama Canal was completed a few months before the Boschland Canal was. Both canals became open to the public in the year of 1899, and became economically established by 1901. |
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== Economy == |
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==== Pre-Canal economy (1757-1899) ==== |
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For most of its existence, Panama was not considered to be self-sufficient and was economically dependent on [[Saint George]], [[Palissandria]], colonial [[Colombia]], and Europe. However, it had multiple streams of profit: |
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* The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Saint_George Bank of St. George], based in the European continent, was the largest institution in the city and dominated the region's finance. |
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* Panama had been linked to the Genoese slave trade and was one of the centres of the New Spain slave trade in the 16th century. However, after Genoa had acquired [[Saint George|Saint George Island]] in 1757, the slave trade steadily declined up until the [[Genoa|Republic of Genoa]]'s abolition of slavery in the 19th century. |
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* It was a major refuge for European buccaneers and financial criminals. |
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* In the late 18th century, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guano guano trade] became prominent in Panama, [[Peru]], and neighbouring areas. |
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* It was a major player in the shipping and cargo sector, engaging in shipping as far away as the [[Philippines]]. |
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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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==== Post-Canal economy (1899-) ==== |
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Throughout the 20th century, the city had seen rejuvenation in its commerce, banking, and shipping sectors. It became the ''de facto'' epicentre of commerce in central America by the mid-20th century. The city also has the highest number of casinos per capita in Central America. |
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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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== Demographics == |
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Historically, the majority of Panamanians were of African descent and were ruled over by a minority Genoese and Hispanic population, who consisted around one-fourth of the population. In the 19th and 20th centuries, immigration from [[Colombia]], [[Mexico]], [[Peru]], [[China]], [[Japan]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Genoa]] itself transformed the area. |
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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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Retirees from Europe and northern America have also immigrated to Panama, buying up seafront properties. In summer, over 20% of seasonal residents in Panama can be classified as millionaires and the ultra-rich. Much of Panama's African population has ultimately been forced to emigrate to other countries, leading to Genoa, [[New Amsterdam]], and [[Saint-Domingue]] having substantial Afro-Panamanian communities. |
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[[File:PanamaCanalCommission.png|left|thumb|Modern logo of the Panama Canal Commission adopted in 1976. ]] |
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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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== See also == |
== See also == |
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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.
