Ferdinand de Lesseps (1805-1894) -the father of the Panama Canal
Every American school child is taught to revere names like Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, and Thomas Edison. In Panama one of the names you will find on any list of historic figures is Ferdinand de Lesseps.
You have probably never heard of Monsieur Lesseps, but the contributions of this obscure French diplomat literally rewrote world history.
Lesseps was a descendant from a long line of wealthy French aristocrats. He became famous as one of the pivotal figures in the construction of the Suez Canal. Sometimes called the hero of the Suez, Lesseps’ involvement with the project came to a close following its opening in 1869. Ready for new adventures, Lesseps attempted to capitalize on his successes with the Suez by launching a bid to link the Atlantic and Pacific with a canal through a Colombian possession called Panama.
The Spanish had been trying to find a path way through Panama since the early 1500’s. The French led by Lesseps, hoped to capitalize on these efforts with a sea level canal similar to the one built in the Suez. At stake was a prize of almost inestimable value; control of a short cut that would save nearly 14,000 miles of sailing around Cape Horn.
In the end, the hero of the Suez lost all in his bid to conquer Panama’s hostile interior. Rocky soil broke the back of the best equipment French engineers could produce, and diseases like malaria and yellow fever ravaged workers on the project. The Americans would be the ones to complete his dream, but it was Monsieur Lesseps who would come to be known as the father of the Panama Canal.
Make some history of your own when you explore Panama for yourself. Discover the natural treasures of this remarkable nation as you enjoy its business, tourism, and retiree friendly culture.
The benefits of living and working in Panama are remarkable. Just for starters, you will not have to pay taxes on income you earn outside of the country. With the right you can buy a home here that is exempt from property taxes for up to 20 years. And don’t forget, Panamanian law allows you to invest and bank in secrecy. This provides individuals and businesses with the ability to keep their business… their business.
If you are thinking about developing a Panama based asset protection, business, banking, investment, or retirement strategy, make sure to begin by building a strong relationship with a local attorney. There are many third party sources able to help you select the best one for your needs. These groups provide unbiased reviews of providers in Panama’s professional community speeding you to a successful pairing.
If you are interested in investing in Panama, gaining residency here, doing your offshore banking in Panama, starting a business, meeting the right people, or finding the ideal retirement location on the beach contact one of our Panama experts today.
Email us at The Panama Club for discrete answers to any questions you may have about Panama.
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