Panama is at a crossroads in more ways than one. Situated on the seam of two continents, the country is both rich in culture, and also struggling to preserve it. Here you will find three stories that illustrate this. In the first segment, Danae Bucci explores Panama’s burgeoning coffee market that produces some of the world’s most sought-after beans. In the second, Katarina Radisic examines the country’s centuries-old tradition of making the sombrero pintao, which was recently recognized by UNESCO as a vital part of Panamanian life. The third segment features Alyssa Lukpat describing efforts to reforest the Mamoní Valley Preserve after hundreds of acres of rain forest had been cut for crops and timber. Together, the three segments tell the story of a country in transition as it celebrates its past and embraces its future.
With contributions by Matt Cunha, Estelle de Zan and Jonathan Mejia
Panama Up Close 