At the heart of the Americas, Panama is also the crucial link. The Panama Canal joins the Atlantic to the Pacific, wedding east to west in global commerce. In the last century the canal defined Panama. But what lies just beyond these locks could define the next. Pristine beaches, lush rainforest and big city nightlife give a taste of the country’s outstanding assets. Paradoxes are plenty – the US legacy means that English is widely spoken, yet one hour outside the city, indigenous Emberá paddle dugout canoes. The great canal expansion, slated for 2014, means even more business than usual. But for now, you can pick an empty islet and play Survivor for the day.
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