Indians in Panama

There are an estimated 8,000 people of Indian origin in Panama. They are employed in the shipping industry while others are mainly engaged in commerce. A majority are Hindu with a substantial Muslim and Sikh minority and they maintain Hindu temples, Gurdwaras and mosques in Panama City and Colón.

Indians in Panama
Total population
15,000
Regions with significant populations
Panama City · Colón
Languages
Spanish · English · Various Indian languages
Religion
Sikhism · Hinduism · Catholicism · Islam · Religions of India
Related ethnic groups
Asian Indians in Belize · Indians in Venezuela

Panama's Indian community originates from Punjab, Gujarat and Sindh (now a part of Pakistan). The first significant immigration was during the US phase of the building of the Panama Canal and were primarily from the Caribbean (islands and British Guiana, now Guyana) under British rule. Many of the founders of the Colon Free Zone were Indians. Since then, the Indian community has grown with a slow but steady stream of immigrants.

Panamanians of Indian descent speak their native languages which could include Punjabi, Gujarati and Sindhi. Spanish is also used in the community between speakers of two languages that are not mutually intelligible.

Notable people
gollark: Except people who want gun control.
gollark: The UN one?
gollark: The rights *which countries grant you* are defined by laws, the general ideas of the rights less so.
gollark: Kind of, maybe?
gollark: I mean, I don't like many *specific* laws. But I like the general idea *of* laws.

See also

References
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