Why isn't Panama included when mentioning Central America and South America ?

Question

What are we then,a world of our own ?

Serious answers please.

Answer 1

Since Panama was once a part of Gran Colombia after independence, it is sometimes considered in with Venezuela and Colombia historically.  However, it is obviously part of central america geographically.  So, when regional things are referred to in Central America, many Central Americans say "Central American and Panama".  It would never be considered part of South America, until the day it gets reunited with gran Colombia, and with Hugo Chavez running things down there, that day may be nearer than anyone would want to believe.

Answer 2

I guess that happens because of two perspectives (culturally and historically). Culturally we are not very similar to our Central American neighbors, we are much more Caribbean oriented (like Puerto Rico and Cuba) you can tell by the food we eat (no tortillas like the ones in C.R. to Guatemala), the music we listen (salsa and merengue), the sports we practice (more baseball than football) and our long standing relations with our friends up north (USA) that other Central American countries did not have for such a long continuous period.

On the historical side, we have always being more tied to South America, during the Spanish Colonial Period we were always part of one Vice-royalty or other in Nueva Granada or Peru, and our fortunes were more tied to our south-er friends commerce like the Gold from Peru and the trade from Chile, Ecuador.

So, I guess with these two ingredients it is no wonder, we are so different, it is like if your mom was from Germany and your dad was from France, close but not the same.

Answer 3

Honestly, before my husband started searching for a place to live overseas a couple of years ago I didn't even know where Panama was.  Shame on me, how sad.  And when I started researching Panama on the Internet and in books what you basically said is what I read about this wonderful country....'Panama does not see itself as part of Central or South America'  Since no one I read expounded as to why I can only guess that since so many countries through out it's existence have sought to possess this isthmus because of it's strategical location and the uniqueness of the land structure that it always felt maybe different from the other countries around it.

However, let's not tell anyone else how special Panama is, let's keep it to ourselves.

Answer 4

Im learning about Central America in school and they say a lot about Panama. Also when I think of South American Panama comes to mind..

Answer 5

Because people like you make your living importing ILLEGALS into the US!

Answer 6

Hola. I believe it's because it's a communist country  and since USA gave canal to Panama in 1999, Panama is not being mentioned that much from the US, unless if it has to do with our children's history books. Sad. :(