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Effects Of The California Gold Rush on Panama
Home » Panama » Panama The People and Culture » Effects Of The California Gold Rush on PanamaThe gold rush in California ignited a new wave of worldwide commerce for those in search of this precious and rare metal, converting the Panamanian Ports into key terminals for international trade. With so much interest in California, Panama provided the shortest and most economical route between the east coast of the United States and Europe. As millions arrived in search of gold, the idea of the first transcontinental railway gained strength. A US company contracted with the blacks from the Caribbean, Irish and Chinese in order to meet their labor needs. While important in what the railway provided economically, of greater significance was the new ethnic elements that it contributed to the Panamanian experience, once again further expanding the already rich, international population. A new city soon replaced the colonial city of Portobelo as the principal Caribbean port. Originally known as Aspinwall, the name was later changed to Colon in honor of Admiral Cristobal Colon, under Colombian protests.
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