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Republic of Panama
Ministry of Education
Elena Chávez de Pinate School

Anishka de la Cruz, Ingrid Palacio and Heymar Sánchez

12 ° E

Ingles

Marta Perry

Title: History of the Fundation of old Panama City

2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PRESENTATION
SHEET…………………………………………………………………………
…………1
INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………
…………………………………2
CONTENT……………………………………………………………………
…………………………………..3
CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………
…………………………………..4
ILUSTRATION………………………………………………………………
…………………………………..5
INFOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………
…………………………………..6
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History of the fundation of old Panama city

The historic monumental complex of Old Panama or Old Panama, is an

archaeological site within the modern city, which beautifies the sight of
tourists and residents who travel the Via Cinquantenario daily. With its
imposing ruins and the sea in the background, this place is a must for
those who want to know more about the city's past. If you want to know
Old Panama and discover its history, you are in the right place. Here we
tell you about some of its unmissable corners.
The city, founded by Pedro Arias Dávila, better known as Pedrarias
Dávila, on August 15, 1519, the day of Our Lady of the Assumption, was
located in an area originally occupied by an aboriginal community; for
this reason, archaeological evidence of pre-Columbian cultures has been
found on this site. This city replaced Santa María la Antigua del Darién
and Acla and became the capital of Castilla del Oro. On September 15,
1521, through Real Certificate, received the title of City and a coat of
arms conferred by Carlos I of Spain as well as its official motto: Very
Noble and Very Loyal City of Panama.
Henry Morgan's conditions and attack: Despite the development
achieved, the conditions of the place were not the best from the beginning.
The scarcity of drinking water was one of the main difficulties, forcing its
inhabitants to build several wells and cisterns.1 The city was hit by at
least three devastating fires and an earthquake, in 1621.3 It was also
besieged, in several times, by pirates. The worst of these sieges was the
one commanded by the British pirate Henry Morgan, who arrived at the
site on January 28, 1671 and remained there until February 24.
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As everyone knows, Columbus discovered America in 1492; With this, the

period of Spanish colonization of the New World began, which brought
with it the founding of Old Panama on August 15, 1519 by the Castilian
soldier Pedro Arias Dávila or Pedrarias, who was born in Segovia.
In addition, it became the most important commercial route in America
for the Spanish, since all the treasures that they brought from the
conquest of Peru passed through Panama Viejo and were transferred by
two routes:
– The Camino Real, which crossed the country to Nombre de Dios and
Portobelo, where trade fairs were held.
-The Camino de Cruces, which went from Old Panama to the town of
Cruces (today the Gamboa area), where small boats were waiting to be
loaded and make a crossing to the town of Chagres at the mouth of the
river and leave in larger ships to the Atlantic bound for Spain. Here today
is the Fort of San Lorenzo, which defended the Spanish ships from pirate
attacks.
The city had many years of splendor until 1671, when the pirate Henry
Morgan attacked it and burned it down, destroying much of it and
leaving its ruins abandoned. It was never rebuilt, since the population
moved to the area that today is the old town of Panama.
What to see in Old Panama
Currently, after the work carried out in the archaeological zone, different
remains can be visited, among which we recommend visiting:
Cathedral tower
It is the most representative element of Old Panama, with about 30
meters high, and is in a very good state of conservation.
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Santo Domingo convent complex:

This was one of the smallest convents in the city, run by Dominican friars,
although from 1649 the convent functioned as a novitiate house and arts
school where classes were taught in various disciplines such as grammar,
arithmetic, music, astronomy... with a degree. academic equivalent to
today's bachelor's degree, which at the time was a great advance for local
people.
The geographical position of Panama has served throughout its history as
a transit point and to have an economy based on service. Since its
foundation until today, with the use and implementation of the new
facilities of the Panama Canal, this mission is strengthened. of our
country to serve as a connection to different transport routes both at sea
and by land and the connections that the new Tocumen Airport has as a
means of communication for the world. However, much remains to be
done for Panama to continue to strengthen itself as an obligatory route
and meeting point. There must be a better highway system so that trade
can take place quickly, also a better disposition of the authorities to
promote the country and take care of the resources, Strengthen education
aimed at creating the professional that the country demands, new
professions and learn new languages such as English and Mandarin. The
new relations with China point to a good future in terms of service for the
country, but we must prepare ourselves and give Panamanians a way to
train and be an agent of change to strengthen us as a nation. And above
all that our rulers are servants and not take advantage of the country's
assets,
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https://www.uber.com/es-PA/blog/panama-la-vieja-historia/
#:~:text=Panam%C3%A1%20La%20Vieja%20fue%20fundada,el
%20comercio%20de%20la%20regi%C3%B3n.
https://www.panamaviejaescuela.com/historia-fundacion-primera-
ciudad-panama/
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