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Considering the economic sector, Panama is thought to be a well conditioned country in Latin America. In 2006 -2007 financial year, it had the highest GDP in all of Latin America.
Economy of Panama is highly affected for its geographical position. Blessings of western economy and its unique policy has fueled the growth of the country.
Economy of Panama is actually depended on the service industry, banking, commerce and tourism sector. More over, the government’s expenditure and the construction projects backed by the United States helped the economical condition to get in a high level.
Basically the economic growth came from the service sector. Because of the well developed service sector, 80% of the total GDP comes from this site. The key elements of service sectors are Panama Canal, banking, flagship registry, the Colon Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, medical and health.
Beside the service sector there are tons of industries that contribute in GDP. Some of the manufacturing industries are creating aircraft additional parts, adhesives, automobiles, cements, drinks, textiles. In an astonishing way the country is manufacturing the handmade artisan creation of Bush planes which are highly demanded by many entities.
The economy of Panama shows a good reflect of model GDP growth. Panama is the third highest country in the sector of per capita in Central America and the poverty rate of the country is 16 percent. Unemployment rate was 7.2% in the year of 2004.
One of the big differences between the economy of Panama and the economy of other countries are the highest levels of per capita income. In the world of development, Panama’s economy is marking itself with lots of strong sites.
On the other hand, construction of the Panama Canal made the growth in economy faster. It started from the 1900s and till in the twentieth century Panama Canal has been more successful than any other sector. In 1985 per capita gross national product became twice the average in other countries of Central America and South America. However Venezuela and Argentina had higher per capita than the economy of Panama.
Economy of Panama had a plus point with their paper currency, the United States dollar. Though the balboa was the local currency of Panama, it was mixed up with the United States dollar. People of Panama can only get balboa coins. United States determined the Panama’s money supply which came from Federal Reserve System. So for the Republic of Panama it was forbidden to print and devalue the currency and that made them enjoy the lowest inflation.
In 2002 the nominal GDP of the country was 11,691 million, 13,099 million in 2004, 14,004 million in 2005, and 15,141.9 million in 2006. This report was shown by the Office of Statistics and Census, Government of Panama. Growth from 2002 to 2006 has been especially strong in the transport and communications sector and was a major breakthrough in the economy of panama from 2002 to 2006. The calculation showed that this transportation and communication sector was the biggest contributor in the factor of GDP.
Although other sectors of the country’s GDP generators contributed more or less in growth of the GDP; in 2003-04 the Real GDP has increased to 7.5%, 6.9% in 2004-05 and 8.1% in 2005-06.
Cape Town International is South Africa’s second-largest airport, and a prime tourism gateway serving millions of visitors descending on the Mother City every year.
Traffic through the airport reflects this: over 60 000 aircraft ferrying over 6.7-million passengers in 2005. By 2015, 14-million passengers are expected to pass through Cape Town International.
The airport is world-class, winning the Skytrax Best Airport in Africa award in 2005, and being named the World Travel Awards’ leading airport in Africa from 2001 through 2004 (coming second to Johannesburg International in 2005).
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has committed R1-billion to upgrading and developing the airport, including extensions to existing terminal buildings, the construction of parkades, two new satellite terminals and an expanded runway system.
The new international arrivals terminal, opened in 2001, has the capacity to process 950 arriving passengers per hour. It is light and spacious, providing convenient, efficient service to international passengers.
The new R120-million international departures terminal, opened in 2003, is capable of processing up to 1 300 passengers in peak hours, or a million passengers a year – three times the capacity of the old terminal. It boasts a total area of 21 000 square metres, including 2 360m² of retail space.
The airport offers convenient, international-standard banking, forex and car rental services.
Over 2 000 parking bays stretch along the length of the airport, with roving shuttle cabs available to transport passengers directly from their car to their terminal.
The airport is 22 kilometres from the city centre, with a range of transport options to get you where you need to go, these include metered taxis and shuttle services.
Getting here in Cape Town South Africa
There’s more than one way of getting to South Africa. If you’d like to be a little different, you could hop on a cruise ship. All the big cruise liners dock in Cape Town and sometimes Durban but, for something a touch more unusual, try the RMS St Helena. Running from Southampton to Cape Town via St Helena, it’s one of the last real old mail ships.
If you’re really adventurous, you could sail here or, if you have the time, travel over Africa overland.
Flying, of course, is the most practical choice.
South Africa’s airports
Airports Company South Africa operates South Africa’s 10 principal airports – including three major international airports – which together handle over 200 000 aircraft landings and 23-million passengers annually.
OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International) is the major gateway, offering both domestic, African regional and international connections. There are also an increasing number of international flights direct to Cape Town, and a few direct to Durban.
Altogether there are more than 30 airports in SA, ranging from smaller airports for cross-border flights to and from neighbouring countries to larger airports for flights to and from other African airports.
For information on the seven major domestic airports – Bloemfontein, East London, George, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, Pilanesberg and Upington – go to Airports Company South Africa.
How long does it take to get here?
South Africa is served by more than 70 international airlines and our national carrier, South African Airways, flies to many destinations in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
So we are never more than a flight away if you are on a major air route internationally.
Flights from Europe are generally overnight and are a dinner-bed-and-breakfast away. Direct flights between the US and Johannesburg or Cape Town take about 15 hours, and flights between London and Johannesburg about 12 hours.
New York, NY (Jan. 29, 2009) Yampu Latin America Tours, formerly Kontiki Tours, applies its unrivaled expertise (11 years and counting) to plan journeys of a lifetime to Mexico, Central and South America. In changing only the company name to better reflect its heritage, knowledge and specialized services“ it continues to offer travelers its wide range of signature tours using the same staff and offices with Kontiki founder and president Jose Irauzqui still at the helm.
While travelers and the trade have known us as Kontiki, our name change to Yampu“ an Incan word for reed boat “ suggests the true spirit of Latin America exploration that our programs embody Irauzqui said. Everything but our name remains the same with our talented staff and expert guides continuing to create and lead guided tours that shepherd travelers to the regions well-known attractions and hidden treasures on exciting customized programs.
Yampu, which will personalize any trip to meet the special interests of its clients, continually seeks out new experiences and crafts new tours based on the expertise of our ground agents, native guides and our own Latin America adventures he added. Our focus is consistently to ‘let the experts guide you in both the planning stages and on the journey itself.
From spiritual quests led by Andean shamans to tasting tours of Argentina’s Mendoza wine region to up-close encounters with the people, nature and wildlife of the Amazon, Yampu has the resources to offer up a wealth of carefully crafted, life-enriching experiences to its guests. Tours can be customized to suit a client’s preferred travel dates, type of accommodation and ground and air transportation, as well as special interests such as history and culture, adventure, spas and yoga, family fun or a honeymoon.
About Yampu Latin America Tours
With 11 years of experience, Yampu Latin America Tours is a first-class travel company offering the best choice of fascinating tours for specialized travel to Latin America. A large variety of guided excursions and itineraries all around Mexico, Central and South America will guide every client through the world of beauty, desire and sun.
If you would like more information on Yampu Latin America Tours, please visit www.yampu.com.
Image taken on 2000-12-01 00:00:00 by vfowler.
You could organise your own transport between road and rail, but this type of organisation can be rather delicate, especially for a trans-continental trip – plus, miss one connecting train or bus and your entire itinerary can be left null and void. Car rental is another option, but with the vast distances and unpredictable road conditions, this may also end in unnecessary holiday headaches.
South America overland travel with a professional operator eases the organisational hassles of arranging your own itinerary. The South America overland travel packages have many different options to choose from, combining different countries and destinations of interest.
South America Overland Tour Activities
Absorb the sights, sounds, scents and flavours that abound in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and of course, Brazil. Take an exciting tour to the Amazon Jungle and spend time in a tropical paradise unmatched anywhere else in the world.
Get up close to the relics and ruins and learn more about the Inca history of the continent. Walk in the footsteps of this ancient civilisation on the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, just one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites located in South America.
Take a meandering boat trip on Lake Titicaca on a lazy afternoon. Explore the Andes Mountain range, and take in some incredible sights of the longest exposed mountain belt in the world. Not to mention the awe-inspiring glaciers and ice fields of the Patagonian region.
The South American continent also boasts some amazing game reserves. Visit the Paracas National Reserve, a marine reservation in Peru – the only one of its kind in the country – and another UNESCO World Heritage site.
Located in the mountainous area of Chile, the Torres del Paine National Park is known for the many endangered species in the area as well as its breathtaking geography of rivers, lake and glaciers.
What better way to see South America than on an overland travel adventure? Overland travel is always an inspirational journey, full of real life adventures, amazing discoveries, picturesque views and lasting friendships.
With years of experience and extensive knowledge of Africa, the Middle East and South America, Oasis Overland have fully equipped purpose built vehicles, backed up by a dedicated team of staff both on the road and in the sales office.
With returning travellers making up 60% of bookings, Oasis Overland provides South America overland tour opportunities not soon to be forgotten.
http://www.oasisoverland.co.uk
Although Christopher Columbus is often credited as ‘discovering’ the North American region, he never set foot on any land that subsequently became the USA or Canada; furthermore, a number of other explorers are credited with ‘discovering’ the continent up to five hundred years before Columbus came looking.
What Columbus did do, however, was succeed in raising awareness of the Americas in general and in his four separate voyages to the ‘new world’, he first set foot on mainland America in Venezuela, South America, in 1498, paving the way for the whole of South America to be ‘conquered’ by Spanish, Portuguese and other European explorers: the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, South America is a rich and culturally diverse continent, providing a mix of Native American and European cultures, from Venezuela and Columbia in the north all the way to Chile and Argentina in the south. Indeed, to explore the entire continent would take months, if not years, but it’s possible to see many of the highlights in just a few weeks with a little careful planning.
To avoid the perennial traveller’s bane of ‘doubling-back’, make a note of all the intended destinations and work out a route that facilitates arriving in one city and departing out of another. South America is a vast continent, so avoiding retracing steps is crucial if time is of the essence.
Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina, is an excellent starting point. Considered to be the richest city in South America, Buenos Aires perhaps feels more European than Latin American, with grand avenues and narrow bustling streets hosting countless cafes, bars and Plazas. This is also a great place for those with a penchant for dancing, with Tango classes widely available across the city.
A little further north is the Iguazu Falls, which straddle the border between the Brazilian state of Parana and the Argentinean province of Misiones. Consisting of 275 separate waterfalls along a 3km stretch of the Iguazu River, this area is nature at its most impressive and was shortlisted to be one of the new ‘7 wonders of nature’.
From here, one option is to carry on into Brazil, stopping at the countless sites en-route to Rio de Janeiro. However, it may be better to make a beeline west across Argentina and into Chile. San Pedro de Atacama is a small town east of Antofagasta and is notable for being the driest place on earth. Stargazing is a popular ‘activity’ here, with the night views of the heavens unequalled anywhere on the continent.
South America’s impressive short and long distance transport infrastructure – flights – can then facilitate the trip north to Cusco in Peru. An impressive little city in its own right, Cusco is also the base for those wanting to trek the Inca trail, which is thirty miles of high-altitude walking meandering gradually towards the ancient city of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1983.
Travel to South America and around it, is straight-forward, catering for people on all budgets. For those preferring to take to the air between key locations rather than hitting the highways, there are many international airports dotted throughout this vast and varied continent, which is good news for those with tight timescales, or simply an eagerness to get directly to the heart of all the good bits.
Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
Visiting South America is an exciting prospect with it’s vibrant, passionate culture, the music, dancing and fabulous beaches. The continent has some of the worlds most exciting cities, rainforests, jungles and mountains.
Rio de Janeiro
Every day feels like a carnival in Rio de Janeiro, you are never far from the pulse of the samba. Situated between glorious beaches and lush mountains it’s a perfect place for a lively holiday.
Weather
The weather never gets cold in Rio, the rainy season is from October to January and temperatures can drop to 23C. The humid climate reaches 28C in the summer.
Transport: how to get there and around
The airport in Rio serves flights from all of Latin America, Brazil, and beyond. Long distance buses depart from Novo Rio Rodoviaria.
Getting around the city can be a little uncomfortable on the often crowded buses. For a cooler option try the air-conditioned subway which covers part of the city.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
Attractions & Events
*Unforgettable Costumes, dancing and body painting are paraded through the streets for the famous 5 day Carnaval. This event starts on the Friday before Ash Wednesday.
* Throughout June is the Fiestas Junina, which takes place in public squares in the city.
*Festa de NS da Gloria do Outeiro is celebrated with street parades and stalls on 15 August.
*Each Sunday in October the religious festival Festa da Penha takes place.
São Paulo
São Paulo is Brazils largest and most cosmopolitan city. There are many attractions for the visitor to enjoy including the art and culture, fine restaurants and pulsating nightlife.
Transport: how to get there and around
There are three airports in São Paulo. Congonhas for domestic and Sao Paulo/ Guarulhos both for domestic and international flights.
To avoid the congested streets the subway is a great option. There is a bus service but this can be crowded and uncomfortable.
Weather
The city receives most rain during the summer months, although generally the weather is sunny and warm all year.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Sao Paulo.
Attractions & Events
*In June the hot fashions are on show during São Paulo’s Fashion Week, the same month brings the huge gay celebration Gay Pride.
*In October sports fan can enjoy the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has an old style European feel with its boulevards, café’s and architecture. But you’ll quickly find it also has a trendy chic side and a population that makes flair into an art form. And as home of the tango, the city has an irresistible allure.
Transport: how to get there and around
The city’s two airports known as Ezeiza & Aeroparque serve as an important hub for the southern region of South America. There is a bus service which connects the city with both airports.
The efficient underground called Subte makes traveling around the city easy. You can also use the bus service 24 hours a day. Most of the tourist attractions are situated close to one another so walking is also an option.
Weather
The best time to visit is during Spring and Autumn as the summer can be scorching up to 40C and the winters are cold. You will see some rain although its not generally heavy.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Buenos Aires.
Attractions & Events
*Dancing is a popular celebration, the Buenos Aires Tango festival is held during February and March.
* To celebrate Latin American literature the book fair The Feria del Libro takes place every April.
*Campeonato Abierto Argentino de Polo takes place in December.
South America is home to lands of fierce mountainous beauty, traces of ancient civilisations, superb tropical coastlines, alluring food and music, and pulsating festivals – in short everything your need for the ultimate travel experience.
Lima
Peru’s sprawling capital sits in the center of the country’s desert coastline. It’s a grimy, polluted place but one of charm and friendliness with a wealth of compelling architecture and great museums.
Transport:getting there and getting away
Lima’s Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez services most international and domestic flights. The airport is best served by taxi as buses tend to be crowded.
Buses connect Lima with Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador as well as all over Peru. They are slow and can be uncomfortable.
Ocean liners berth at Lima’s port of Callao.
Lima is a sprawling congested city and public transport is disorganised. Taxis are plentiful but unregulated. Fares must be negotiated which is difficult if you don’t speak Spanish and taxis can be dangerous.
Micro and combi buses are cheap and the destinations are placed in the windshield. This makes things difficult if you’re not familiar with the city.
Lima is not pedestrian-friendly owing to congestion and pollution. Walking is only advised within neighbourhoods. Between neighborhoods a taxi is necessary.
Climate
Hot and humid all year round with little rainfall.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Lima hotels
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
*Semana de Lima between 12-19 January celebrates the founding of Lima in 1535.
*Carnaval is celebrated on the last few days before Lent with music, dancing and water fights.
*Semana Santa in March-April is marked by processions throughout the city.
*Independence is celebrated on 28-29 July. Large rock concerts are popular around this time.
* Festival of Santa Rosa de Lima is on 30 August at the Santa Rosa Monastery.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio sits between imposing mountains and the glorious beaches washed by the warm waters of the Atlantic and is a true hedonistic heaven. The rhythm of the samba is rarely absent from this city in which every day is a celebration.
Transport:getting there and getting away
Flights connect Rio with all of Brazil and Latin America, as well as many other major cities. Buses depart for most destinations from Novo Rio Rodoviaria.
City buses are often crowded and struggle through Rio’s traffic. Rio has an excellent, air-conditioned subway system but it only covers points north of Botafogo.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Rio de Janeiro
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
*Carnaval is the five-day internationally-famous extravaganza beginning at midnight on the Friday before Ash Wednesday. Dancing, parades, head-dresses and flaunted bodies make up this unforgettable spectacle.
*The Fiestas Junina’s is celebrated in public squares throughout June.
*August 15 sees music, colorful stalls and a parade celebrating the Festa de NS da Gloria do Outeiro.
*Festa da Penha is one of the largest religious festivals in the city. It’s held every Sunday in October.
Buenos Aires
Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires is unique among South American cities in that it radiates the ambiance of the Europe of a more gentile age. But don’t be fooled. You’ll quickly find it also has a trendy chic side and a population that makes flair into an art form.
Transport:getting there and getting away
Buenos Aires is a major transport hub for the southern part of South America and has two airports. Regular ferry and hydrofoil services connect Buenos Aires with Uruguay.
Getting around Buenos Aires is easy. The city boasts an efficient underground known as the Subte and a round-the-clock bus system. Plus the major tourist attractions are near each other so it’s well worth exploring on foot.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Buenos Aires.
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
* Buenos Aires Tango is a tango festival that takes place between late February and early March all over the city.
* The Feria del Libro annual book fair celebrates Latin American literature in April at the Centro Municipal de Exposicions.
* Mid-May sees the art fair, Arte BA.
*More tango related activities on June 24 when aficionados remember Carlos Gard el, the man who made the tango famous.
*December features the Campeonato Abierto Argentino de Polo.
Alistair White has been in the travel industry for over 20 years and is the founder and CEO of Cheaper Than Hotels, offering cheap Lima hotels
You want to travel to South America but you are worried about means of transportation when you get there. What do you do? Well, you have several options: you can choose to figure it out when you get there and travel by bus, train, shuttle, etc., or you can rent a car. Most are nervous about traveling to a new country to begin with, and then they are faced with the problem of getting around when they arrive. Some consider it foolhardy to head to South America with no transportation plan, and to just improvise upon arrival. Others see no problem with it. Those who think that it is a risk they are not willing to take will want to know how to secure a rental car before arriving. They will also worry about the driving rules and regulations of South America, but this worry can be averted with a small amount of research. It is important to think ahead and set things up early so you do not run into problems when you arrive. Many underestimate the complexity of the process, and do not know what to do when they arrive. Most important, other than car rental, is awareness. Driving in South America is not considered a particularly safe or easy task so being aware of the situation is a very big deal.
Renting a car is simple enough, as long as you choose to do it at the right time. All you need to do is find a website which provides rental cars to travelers. Log on to the site and let them know when you need the car for and where you would like to pick it up. Of course, you will have to provide your information so they can hold it for you. If you choose to search for a rental after arriving, it may be difficult to locate a place when you are not in an area you are familiar with.
Finally, make sure you are always switched on when traveling by car in South America. Many roads have been partly-destroyed or damaged, or are covered in hazardous obstacles which are usually natural but occasionally are man-made. Some parts of South America have man-made obstacles to slow drivers down but they are usually not marked which leaves them hard to see, especially at night. Driving at night is never recommended because you never know what to expect on the roads in an area you are not familiar with. Day driving should be limited not only because of the hazards that will be found all over the country but also because urban traffic can be heavy and chaotic. Bearing in mind the points made above, having a car can still be more beneficial than relying on public transportation. As long as the rides are short then you will enjoy having the freedom to travel where you want when you want to.
Be sure to make it easy on yourself and book your rental ahead of time. Always be aware and careful when driving a rental car. Make sure to plan your route ahead of time and head straight to your destination. Driving around South America aimlessly is only going to lead to accidents!
Travel to Chile today and experience all the sites and sounds that you have been missing. But before you get there be sure to arrange to rent a car. To rent a car in Chile is not as difficult as you may think.
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