A small country in the world, with an area smaller than Chongqing and a population of less than 4 million, has entered the World Cup

In the southernmost part of Central America, there is a country with an area of ??only 75,000 square kilometers and a population of less than 4 million. Chongqing City in our country has an area of ??82,000 square kilometers and a population of nearly 30 million. This country is considered a small country in terms of land area and population. However, such an inconspicuous small country has entered the World Cup for the first time. Netizens have expressed their unease. Which country is it?

Panama was originally a settlement of Indian tribes. As early as the beginning of the 16th century, the Spanish army came here and became a Spanish colony. This state lasted for more than 300 years. In 1819 AD, Bolivar led his army to defeat the Spanish army and established the Republic of Gran Colombia. Soon thereafter, Panama became part of the Republic of Gran Colombia.

With Bolivar's death, the Republic of Gran Colombia disintegrated and Panama became a province of New Granada. In November 1903, the U.S. military landed in Panama, and Panama announced its separation from New Granada and established the Democratic Republic of Panama. Subsequently, the United States obtained a permanent monopoly on the construction and operation of the canal, as well as the permanent use, occupation, and control of the canal zone, and dug a canal in the wasp waist area of ????central Panama. It is precisely because of this that the Canal Zone has become a "state within a state" in Panama.

Geographically, the Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is known as the dividing line between South and North America. It has a unique strategic position and its finance, trade and tourism are quite developed. In particular, the Cologne Free Trade Zone has more than 1,500 trading companies and 16 banks, making it the second largest free trade zone in the world after Hong Kong.

In addition, Panamanians are keen on various sports, such as baseball, football, basketball, etc. In the 2018 World Cup preliminaries, Panama ranked third in North America and directly qualified for the 2018 World Cup. This is also the first time in Panama's history that it has reached the World Cup finals.

To celebrate this historic moment, the President of Panama declared a national holiday. Netizens immediately lost their composure after learning the news. It is unbelievable that Panama, with a population of less than 4 million, was able to enter the World Cup, but it has to be admired.