Panama

Panama's past, present, and future are tied to its famed canal, which returned to full Panamanian control in 1999. There is, of course, more to Panama than its Canal. International banking, shipping, and the Colon Free Trade Zone (the world's second largest) have all contributed to diversification of the Panamanian economy. A remodeled Panama Canal Railway, that allows cargo to pass through faster than it would take to traverse the Canal, is also generating further revenue.