The nation of Panama's economy has flourished and grown superior to Latin America, as well as the world as a whole. Panama is an emerging powerhouse in Latin America due to their quality revenue streams from the services sector. Panama has consistently grown for the past fifteen years and has plans in place for that to continue. During the Citi presentation, Manuel Abascal claimed Panama's real GDP growth was 10.7% in 2013 compared to Latin America and the world growing by, 3.3% and 3.2% respectively (Abascal). Panama also has had considerable higher real GDP percentage growth than both of these comparable statistics since 2007 (Abascal). The next major positive statistic is their shrinking debt. The Panamanian government had adopted a highly disciplined debt control mandate, resulting in decreasing its public debt from 70.4% in 2004 to 39.6% in 2012 (Abascal). They also boast near full employment levels, with a minuscule 4% unemployment (Abascal). Viewing these three core facts could easily suggest Panama is undergoing an economic boom, which is particularly unique, because a majority of the world is recovering from the global financial collapse. Panama also withstood the damage from the collapse better than most other countries, seeing their growth decrease as expected, but keeping unemployment increase low. The question is, why Panama? Panama possesses a distinct competitive advantage that has been building up and may be close to achieving its maximized potential in the 21st century. The solitary key is its inherited geography. Panama is a vital member of the earth's natural bridge between the two American continents but, that could be said about a handful of Latin American countries. On August 15, 1914 the Panama Canal was completed and connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It brought the East and West together. It was a major stepping stone to the 20th century growth of the global economy and was the beginning of Panama's evolution. This was a golden business idea to establish the long term prosperity of the country, but it was not accomplished alone. The United States handled construction of the canal and kept it under American control until 1999; this solidified a profitable and rewarding partnership with the United States. Panama's maximized potential was stifled by its dark years under highly corrupt military dictatorship, but this was finally overcome by the United States invasion and overthrow of General Manuel Noriega in 1989. In the wake, Panama's Electoral Tribunal gladly instituted a civilian constitutional government, just like its aiding big brother. They also mirrored America's capitalistic economy and welcomed foreign financial institutions which ignited their road of robust growth at the beginning of the 21st century. The United States intervention and resulting positive changes, gave Panama back the ability to be the international epicenter of trade and finance it was meant to be. The United States' influence helped Panama gain a cash cow in the Panama Canal, the U.S. dollar, democracy, and the blueprint for a successful capitalistic economy. Once all of these factors came to full fruition in the late nineties, Panama underwent a drastic transformation to rid the disappointing past. The Panamanian government realized it was essentially starting a new country which inherited a big problem in a small population that was primarily uneducated and lacked modern skills. The Panamanian government was given the advantage of their established socioeconomic roots for success and an unrealized geographical advantage. These advantages and disadvantages resemble a past infant nation oozing with potential. When the Unites States was establishing the blueprint for its economy and society they were facing similar questions to answer. The two countries just won their independence but the true goal of government is to reach their nations fullest potential and promote the common good for its citizens. The United States promoted itself as the land of opportunity, freedom, and every man's pursuit of happiness. This opened the floodgates of immigration, foreign private business, and high foreign investment to the emerging countries development and growth as a whole. One would assume Panama would be reluctant at first to outside involvement after being controlled for decades, but instead of being unwelcome to outsiders they wisely embraced it to the fullest. They sold themselves as an international epicenter with high growth opportunity and as a hot spot for foreign investment of any kind. The Panamanian government clearly saw this multifaceted business opportunity with a global revenue stream and did everything in their power to achieve it hoping for the same prosperity fledgling America achieved. The Panamanian government received the financial kick-start and international respect it needed when it earned control of the Panama Canal in 1999. Then the government spent the beginn