Minor Basilica of St. James (Nata) Minor Basilica of St. James Church Natá.jpg Type Minor Basilica Invocation St. James Location Nata de los Caballeros, Cocle, Panama Flag of Panama.svg Use Catholic Worship Diocese Penonomé Order Secular Clergy Architecture Construction 1522 Baroque architecture
The Minor Basilica of St. James or simply Basilica Nata, officially declared as Church of Nata, is a Catholic church built in what is now known as Nata in Cocle Province, Republic of Panama. Its construction was started in 1522 and spent over a hundred years to complete. Completed in the last third of the seventeenth century and the late eighteenth century, is considered the cultural-religious architectural work of major historical significance bequeathed by the Spanish in Panamanian territory.

                                                                      

Bahia Piña Darien

Bahia Piña
For those who enjoy nature and adventure at sea, Bahia Piña ; province of Darien is the ideal place. This bay is known as a paradise for sport fishing Merlin Black , has been the scene of countless powers, which have broken over 250 global brands , is visited by people from all over the world.

In Bahia Piña they are conducting campaigns fish conservation through the use of circle hooks and politics of catch and release, to ensure the sustainability of the species in Panamanian waters , so that future generations can enjoy sport fishing tourism .

Island Birds of Bocas del Toro

Island Birds of Bocas del Toro

A few minutes by boat from Boca del Drago, towards the open sea, is the Bird Island (also known as Cayo Swan), nesting bird sanctuary fine and rare Ave Tropical (red-billed Tropicbird) of white plumage beak orange and, in males, a long and colorful tail and sympathetic alcatraz (or booby booby).

Other seabirds such as pelicans, gulls, terns and frigate, spend part of their time in the fall.

Church Santa Librada of Los Santos

In the province of Los Santos is the city of Las Tablas, known for celebrating the country's most luxurious carnivals, also the place to find one of the most representative churches of Panama, its history and architectural beauty.
The construction of this important Catholic church was completed on March 9, 1789 in Baroque style, but the whole building had to be rebuilt because of an earthquake that occurred on November 25, 1802.

Church of San Francisco de la Montaña

Church of San Francisco de la Montaña

San Francisco Mountain

San altar Francisco

Location Flag of Panama Veraguas, Panama

use

Catholic Worship

Diocese Archdiocese of Panama

The Church of San Francisco de la Montaña is a Catholic church located in the town of San Francisco on the Mount of the Province of Veraguas. This Baroque church dates from 1630.

                                          

The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal history dates back to the early explorers of America. The narrow land bridge between North and South America offered a unique opportunity to create a water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans . The first settlers of Central America recognized the potential of the waterway and has since repeatedly outlined plans for its construction.
At the end of the 1800s were beginning to build serious , because of the huge advances in technology and the insistence of investors. France was the first to take the initiative to build a sea level canal , but failed , even after a lot of digging. The United States took advantage of this French effort which resulted in the present Panama Canal opened in 1914 . The Republic of Panama established its independence, by its separation from Colombia in 1903.
Today, the Panama Canal remains a profitable commercial enterprise and also remains critical maritime connection performance . The strategic location of the Panama Canal and its short distance between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans , has led for many years other attempts to copy the marketing route between the two oceans . Although among the initial plans being hatched an overland route that would connect the ports between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans , speculation about a possible canal goes back to the first European exploration in America.

Panama Old

Panama Viejo

The city was founded 15 August 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila and other 100 inhabitants; at the time, it was the first permanent settlement on thePacific Ocean, substituting the two cities of Santa María la Antigüa del Darién and Acla. Two years later, in 1521, the settlement was promoted to the status of city by a royal decree and was given a coat of arms by Charles V of Spain, forming a new cabildo. Shortly after its creation the city became a starting point for various expeditions in Peru and an important base where gold and silver were sent to Spain.

In 1539 and 1563, the city suffered a number of fires which destroyed parts of it but did not impede the city's development. In 1610, the city reached a population of 5000, with 500 houses and convents, chapels, a hospital and the cathedral.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the city was attacked several times by pirates and indigenous people from Darién. On 2 May 1620, anearthquake damaged many buildings in the city. On 21 February 1644, the Great Fire destroyed 83 religious buildings, including the cathedral. At this time, there were 8,000 people living in the city.

In 1670, the city counted 10,000 inhabitants. On 28 January 1671, the Welsh privateer Henry Morgan attacked the city with 1,400 men marching from the Caribbean coast across the jungle. Morgan's force defeated the city's militia then proceeded to sack Panamá. Either Morgan and his army started a fire that burned the city or the Captain General Don Juan Pérez de Guzmán ordered the gunpowder magazines exploded. Either way, the resulting fire destroyed the city. Morgan's attack caused the loss of thousands of lives and Panamá had to be rebuilt a few kilometres to the west on a new site(the current one).

Because the sacking of Panamá violated a new peace treaty between England and Spain, Morgan was arrested and conducted to England in 1672. He proved he had no knowledge of the treaty. Instead of punishment, Morgan was knighted by King Charles II of England in 1674 before returning toJamaica the following year to take up the post of Lieutenant Governor.