The southernmost country in Central America, Panama is located on the Isthmus of Panama, the narrow land bridge that connects North and South America. Approximately the size of South Carolina, Panama is a tropical nation known for its natural beauty, diverse plant and animal life, and vibrant music and culture. Once a part of Colombia, Panama left its neighbor to the east when Colombia rejected a United States-led plan to build a canal to link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Today, more than 14,000 ships pass through the Panama Canal each year, carrying more than 200 million tons of cargo. The canal has made Panama a giant among nations in terms of its strategic importance. The canal is just one among many things that help make Panama one of Latin America's fastest developing countries. Panama delves into many aspects of the history, culture, economy, government, and geography of this land that is called "The Bridge of the World." Book jacket.