Panama booming in surfing and economy (10% GDP)

Playa Venao during ISA WSG 2011 © Demarsan / ISA

Panama in the Surfing and Economic Headlines

BOOM... Over 10% GDP & World Surfing Games in 2011 / World Junior Surfing Campaionships in 2012

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 December, 2011 : - - Panama has consistent waves all year, along both the Pacific and the Atlantic coasts. The warm tropical climate, water, and friendly people make it a perfect destination. Playa Venao is the venue for the 2012 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. ISA and organisers Surf Box chose this paradise as the ideal location for the 10th edition of the event.

Nearly 300 of the world's best juniors from 35 countries will meet in Panama for the largest and most important global junior surf competition in the world. This event has become the greatest indicator of tomorrow's surfing elite, and the path for the ISA Junior Champions to the World Pro Tour.

The Panama ISA WJSC 2012 event is special due in part to the immense popularity of the 2011 Panama ISA World Surfing Games and its impact on the surfing tourism in the region. New accommodation facilities have been built on the beach at Playa Venao. For the first time, in 2012 teams will be able to stay on the beach, right in front of the waves.

President Martinelli invites surfers to come to, and stay in Panama

Some quick Panamanian surfing facts

2010 Hosted ISA World Masters Surfing Championships
2011 Hosted ISA World Surfing Games (Palya Venao)...
2012 Hosts ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.....

13 Times Panama Mens National Champion - Gary Saavedra..
10 Times Panama Womens National Champion - Pucha Garcia

Search Surfing in Panama

Betzaida, Miss Reef Panama : foto Reef

The 2011 Miss Reef Calendar was photographed throughout the Pacific side of Panama

Miss Reef : foto Reef

Panama to Close 2011 with over 10 Percent GDP

Panama will close 2011 with a growth in the Gross Domestic Product of over 10 percent, as announced by Panamanian Economy and Finance Minister Frank de Lima in a meeting with foreign reporters.

De Lima said this growth, well above the seven-percent expected, is due to the mega-projects developed by the government, the work developed by the Free Trade Zone in Colon, the work in local ports and the performance of the Panama Canal, among other reasons, including the arrival of more tourists.

He also highlighted the positive results of a strong financial center. De Lima showed confidence that 2012 will also be positive, with an estimated growth of seven percent, a growth in internal demand, public investment, infrastructural works to extend the Canal, and direct investments exceeding three billion dollars, reduction of the inflation and an expected stability of oil prices.

Other sectors, such as tourism, trade, logistics, telecommunications, ports, construction and others, have also grown. The fiscal deficit will be reduced despite an extraordinary subsidy of 176 million dollars to the energy sector. The current crisis should not affect Panama, since its main trade partners are in Asia and Latin America, but it could affect US dollar fluctuation, which does not allow Panama to have its own monetary policy.

De Lima said experts do not consider the European economic crisis will have a great impact on the national financial sector.

Panama Facts:

Fast Facts
Population: 3,232,000
Capital: Panama City; 930,000
Area: 75,517 square kilometers (29,157 square miles)
Language: Spanish, English
Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant
Currency: Balboa, US dollar
Life Expectancy: 74
GDP per Capita: U.S. $6,200
Literacy Percent: 93
Coastline: 1800 miles / 1600 islands

Economy
Industry: Food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles
Agriculture: Coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton; beef, veal
Exports: Coffee, shrimp and lobster, cotton, tobacco, bananas

Panama is a narrow land bridge connecting North and South America. The Panama Canal, built by the United States after Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903, joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 1989 U.S. troops overthrew Gen. Manuel Noriega, following his indictment for complicity in drug trafficking. Panama's first woman president, Mireya Moscoso, was elected in 1999—the same year that her country assumed full control of the Panama Canal.

Surfing in Panama
Panama has some of the best surf breaks in all of Central America! Whether you like point breaks, beach breaks, hollow tubes, or long peelers, Panama has a variety of surf breaks to accommodate your style. Unlike Costa Rica, Panama is still virgin and you can catch most of the best surf spots by yourself with your buddies. Few people know about Panama's surfing potential, which is a big plus for surfers who visit!

Panama is one of the safest places in the world, so no worries about getting mugged by thugs at the beach, as frequently happens in other countries in Central America. In general, you can surf, roam the streets, party, or shop care free, at any time day or night.

Panama also has an excellent communications system. You can easily call your family or business back home at any time without any hassle. You can even rent a cellular phone for your surf trip, so you can be always in communication. Panama's hospitals are of the best in Central America, so in the event that you got beatings on the rocks or reef while surfing you can be guaranteed that you will be assisted by well trained health care professionals.

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