There are various stories about the etymology of the name "Panama". Some say that the name comes from an unspecified indigenous language, from words meaning variously "an abundance of fish" or "an abundance of butterflies". Another humorous tale states that the name comes from the indigenous kuna word "bannaba", meaning "farther that way", which is what the Kunas told explorers looking for gold. "Panama" is also the name of a variety of tree found in the isthmus.
BBC News Country Profile - Key facts, figures and dates.
Meta Description: [ Key facts, figures and dates ]
CIA World Factbook - Brief history, overview of government and political parties, and statistical information on education, health, and the economy.
Panama Chiriqui - Photos and brief description of this region of the country. [English/Spanish]
US Department of State - Panama - Country portal offers a map and links to Background Notes, Country Study, the US embassy and the current ambassador, press releases, fact sheets, annual Human Rights Reports and other major reports including Industry Market Reports.
Meta Description: [ On-The-Record Briefing on U.S./Afghanistan Strategic Partnership of nder Secretary for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns and Afghanistan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah ]
US Library of Congress Country Study - Covers history, society, geography, and economy.
Meta Description: [ Panama : Country Studies - Federal Research Division, Library of Congress ]
Weaving life - The Story of Ecuador's "Panama Hat" (1/3)