Sample Research Paper On Culture Project

Panama is located in the central point of America, connecting South America with Central America. The country’s demography constitutes of 3,608,431 inhabitants as per the 2014 CIA statistics, which indicated that 35% of the population lived in Panama City and the neighboring suburbs. The people in Panama speak Spanish mostly, but English is also widely used especially for business and tourism purposes. The culture of the people of Panama is very westernized. For instance, the forceful use of English within the education, which was mandated by the government of Panama, discriminates against the black population. The culture of Panama is very complex. From their government policies and priorities to political doctrines, this paper will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the people of Panama.
The culture of Panama is a product of the combination of African cultural values, Native American culture and European, which resulted from Spanish colonization. The people of Panama also hold their ancient values close, which is a product of their tourism. The use of art and music to preserve cultural history is eminent throughout Panama. Education in Panama is compulsory for the first seven years of primary education and the consecutive three years in middle school. The literacy levels in Panama have decreased greatly since 1965, when the illiteracy levels were as high as 28 percent. Since the passing of the mandatory schooling in 2004 to 2005, 95% attendance has been maintained in primary and middle school. Unemployment rates in the country are as low as 4.5% and the per capita income of $16,500 (Every Culture, 2015).
The current government and political doctrine used throughout the country is a constitutional democracy. The country’s political environment is comprised of 5 political parties. These are Democratic Change (CD), the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Popular Party (PP) and Panamenista Party (CIA, 2015). The government is comprised of the judiciary, executive, and legislative branches. The president and vice president vie under one ticket for a five-year term, to which they cannot return until they sit out of parliament for two other terms (10 years). The country has been peaceful since its independence from Colombia in 1903, except for a mishap with United States in 1989 to 1991 under the leadership of President Noriega.
Assessing the healthcare issues in the country is equally vital to understand the quality of healthcare administered in the country. Both the government and the private sector run the healthcare system. The government funds most of the projects through the social security system. EMS services are readily available in Panama City and its neighboring residential areas, but significantly drop as one leaves the city (Nations Encyclopedia, 2015). Additionally, the remote areas suffer a lack of proper medical services throughout the country. The cost of healthcare in the country is lower as compared to most developed nations, but in comparison to the average wages, the cost of healthcare is significantly pricey.

References

Nations Encyclopedia. (2015). Panama - Politics, government, and taxation. Retrieved on February 17, 2015 from <http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Americas/Panama-POLITICS-GOVERNMENT-AND-TAXATION.html>
Every Culture. (2015). Panama. Retrieved on February 17, 2015 from <http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Panama.html>
CIA. (2015). The World Fact book: Panama. Retrieved on February 17, 2015 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html
International Living. (2015). Panama Tops the Charts in Technology and Internet Coverage. Retrieved on February 17, 2015 from <http://internationalliving.com/2014/12/panama-tops-the-charts-in-technology-and-internet-coverage/>