168,000 Days Asking Permission to Open a Port

History and development of Guatemala's ports following the country's new national port system law.

In 1594 the town council of Panama wrote to that of Guatemala. Panama was short of the most essential goods: wheat, flour, barley, tallow, dried meat, other meats, sugar, preserves, fruits, and vegetables. All of that was in surplus on this side, and it would have sold well over there. There was something to sell. […]