Connecting Panama and the United Arab Emirates

CNN Global Connections asked what Panama and the United Arab Emirates have in common. Although Panama has been called the Dubai of the Americas and Dubai most likely never called the Panama of the Middle East, there are connections between the two countries.

The Panama Digest list:

small countries, both around 78,000 km2;

attract foreign investment;

low minimum wage;

artificial islands;

fast growing skylines;

major deterioration in property market following world financial crisis;

skyscrapers in shape of ship sail;

traffic;

copper;

financial centers;

major infrastructure projects;

new metro projects;

diverse multicultural societies;

shakira performed both places;

port cities;

free trade zones;

coastline fill;

diversified to tourism oriented economy;

malls as tourism destination;

low seismic risk;

neem trees;

on bird migration paths;

endangered hawksbill and green turtles;

interest in the Panama Canal;

frank gehry-designed museums..