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Panama has become a leading international destination for people looking for a stable democratic country with a wonderful climate, low cost of living, modern infrastructure, growing economy and, the world’s absolute best retirement benefits package where, regardless of your age, you may qualify.

Panama is a curious but exhilarating combination of cultural influence. It lies at the center of the world, its isthmus constitutes the last part of a natural land-bridge between the North and South American continents. Its strategic position and glorious terrain – from wildlife-rich jungle, flower bedecked mountains to sun-soaked beach – suggests that it will remain an important country for a long time yet.

The country has been a pivotal trade route for 500 years, first under Spanish rule, then as part of independent Gran Colombia and modern Colombia, and in the 20th century, as an independent nation. However, the Panama Canal Zone, completed in 1914, became an American Protectorate for many decades. It was only in 1977 that the Americans agreed to turn over the canal to full Panamanian control by 1999.

In the 1980s, the country was run by Head of the Armed Forces, Manuel Noriega, who was very unpopular in Washington. In 1989, after an unsuccessful coup (thought to have US backing), US President George Bush authorized an invasion to remove the troublesome dictator.

Today, Panama is strongly and proudly democratic with a free press, several well supported political parties and it is embarking upon ambitious new projects. The Panama Canal, which recorded its busiest year to date in 2007, is set to expand substantially to allow even bigger ships to pass through. It is hoped that by 2014 that proposed expansion will be completed.

Panama is definitely much more than a canal, with a booming Free Trade zone, second only to that of Hong Kong, the daily expansion there is astounding, there is a safe banking system, allowing Panama to be one of the few countries in Latin America able to offer mortgages to its citizens and foreigners. The banks in Panama pride themselves on their commitment to privacy and discretion causing some to call Panama, Latin America’s Swiss Banking center.

The investment side of the banks and the independent brokerages offer platforms that allow you to trade on any stock market in the world. Panama itself has a stock exchange and may soon be home to the stock exchange for much of Latin America.

The real estate market is absolutely booming and there is no sign of a slowdown even though the United States is experiencing a melt down. Panama has long been attractive to Europeans and other latin countries. the Russians are coming, and the new found wealthy russians are loving what they see in Panama’s real estate market. Venezuelans and Colombians with money are getting their money out of theri countries and puttig it where it will be safe. Panama is seen as that safe haven.

There are no hurricanes due to Panama’s location on the globe, and few truly violent natural events are likely to occur. Look at the towers that are being built along the ocean front in Panama City and even along some of the Pacific beach front. The weather is consistent with 68 degrees to 75 degrees in the mountains and 80 degrees to 90 degrees along the beaches. In the beach areas there is often an ocean breeze to keep things pleasant and sun shine is seen virtually every day. Dramatic tropical rain storms a can and do occur so don’t shelter under a muddy hillside when it starts to pour, but mud slides are generally the worst thing that happens and there are few denuded hillsides, so even mudslides are few and far between.

Panama’s birds are more extensive than even Costa Rica, so for the bird watchers this is indeed paradise. For the fishing enthusiast the big game fishing here is some of the best in the world. For the diver or the snorkeler the sea life is dramatically different in the Pacific and the Caribbean, even though the physical separation is small, so there are lots of places you need to check out and there are lots of interesting wrecks off the beaches on the Caribbean side.

If you take the time to find out all that Panama has to offer you’ll want to come visit and invest. Your investment will be safe, whether in real estate or a business or with one of the banks or brokerages. Who knows, you may find that you don’t want to leave!

Invest freely in top-performing foreign stocks, high yield bonds, mutual funds, and currencies not available in the highly restricted U.S. markets.

Legally shield your wealth from predatory lawyers and other parasites in banks with the strictest financial privacy laws instituted by their own government.

Create your own international corporation and do business anywhere in the world—without leaving home, filing financial accounts or paying taxes to the local government.

Enjoy the secrecy of private banking with attentive, helpful and knowledgeable professionals with the drive and ability to preserve and grow your wealth.

Create trusts, corporations, private interest foundations and holding companies all 100% legally and free from local and some foreign taxation, with very low setup costs.

Purchase real estate without being publicly identified (banks and other officials can suffer civil and criminal penalties—including jail time—for disclosing your identity).

Find undervalued properties throughout Panama…18th century seaside villas (with sweet tax incentives for investors willing to restore them)…  U.S.-built buildings in a former military zone are now being transformed into hotels and luxury residences by well-informed investors and corporations.

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