Map of Panama | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 | More stats

top of page


Background: With US backing Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977 an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal the area supporting the Canal and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama on 31 December 1999.


top of page


Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W

Map reference: Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Total: 78,200 km²
Land: 75,990 km²
Water: 2,210 km²
Comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries
Total: 555 km
Border countries: (2) Colombia 225 km; , Costa Rica 330 km

Coastline: 2,490 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea:200 nm

Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)

Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m

Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp

Land use
Arable land: 7%
Permanent crops: 2%
Permanent pastures: 20%
Forests and woodland: 44%
Other: 27% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 320 km² (1993 est.)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards: NA

Geography
Note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean


top of page


Population: 2,778,526 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 1.53% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%

Nationality
Noun: Panamanian(s)
Adjective: Panamanian

Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%

Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%
Note: many Panamanians bilingual

Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 32% (male 446,792; female 429,811)
15-64 years: 63% (male 882,541; female 859,455)
65 years and over: 5% (male 76,648; female 83,279) (1999 est.)

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate: 1.53% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 21.69 births/1000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 5.14 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.22 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
International agreements signed but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
Total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate: 23.35 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 74.66 years
Male: 71.91 years
Female: 77.51 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.54 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 90.8%
Male: 91.4%
Female: 90.2% (1995 est.)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


top of page


Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Panama
Conventional short form: Panama
Local long form: Republica de Panama
Local short form: Panama

Government type: constitutional republic

Capital: Panama

Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular_provincia) and 2 territories* (comarca; Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, Veraguas, and a new, as yet unnamed territory* or comarca created 7 March 1997 when President PEREZ BALLADARES signed a bill designating a reserve stretched across three provinces

Dependent areas

Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)

National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983

Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (since 1 September 1994); First Vice President Tomas ALTAMIRANO Duque (since 1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe VIRZI (since 1 September 1994); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (since 1 September 1994); First Vice President Tomas ALTAMIRANO Duque (since 1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe VIRZI (since 1 September 1994); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 2 May 1999)
Election results: Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES elected president; percent of vote_Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER (PA) 29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES (MOLIRENA) 16%

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 2 May 1999)
Election results: percent of vote by party_NA; seats by party_PRD 32, PS 4, PALA 1, PA 14, MPE 6, MOLIRENA 4, PLA 3, PRC 3, PLN 2, PDC 1, UDI 1, MORENA 1
Note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula

Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), nine judges appointed for 10-year terms; five superior courts; three courts of appeal

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation: CAN (associate), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Eloy ALFARO de Alba
In the us chancery: 2,862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407
In the us consulates general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Simon FERRO
From the us embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6,959, Panama City 5
From the us mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34,002
From the us telephone: [507] 227-1377
From the us FAX: [507] 227-1964

Flag description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage


top of page


Economy overview: Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism. Since taking office in 1994, President PEREZ BALLADARES has advanced an economic reform program designed to liberalize the trade regime, attract foreign investment, privatize state-owned enterprises, institute fiscal reform, and encourage job creation through labor code reform. The government privatized its two remaining ports along the Panama Canal in 1997 and approved the sale of the railroad in early 1998. It also plans to sell other assets, including the electric company. Panama joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) and approved a tariff reduction that will give the country the lowest average tariff rates in Latin America. A banking reform law was approved by the legislature in early 1998. The most important sectors driving growth have been the Panama Canal and other shipping and port activities.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate: 2.7% (1998 est.)

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $7,300 (1998 est.)

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 8%
Industry: 18%
Services: 74% (1997 est.)

Agriculture products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp

Industries: construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling

Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1.044 million (1997 est.)
Note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
By occupation governmentandcommunityservices: 31.8%
By occupation agriculture hunting and fishing: 26.8%
By occupation commerce restaurants and hotels: 16.4%
By occupation manufacturing and mining: 9.4%
By occupation construction: 3.2%
By occupation transportationandcommunications: 6.2%
By occupation finance insurance andrealestate: 4.3%

Unemployment rate: 13.1% (1997 est.)

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line: NA%

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: $2.4 billion
Expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $341 million (1997 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

Public debt

Revenue

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares

Current account balance

Exports: $6.68 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2%
Partners: US 37%, EU, Central America and Caribbean

Imports: $7.38 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumer goods, chemicals
Partners: US 48%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt external: $7.26 billion (1996 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates


top of page


Electricity
Production: 3.55 billion kWh (1996)
Production by source fossil fuel: 29.58%
Production by source hydro: 70.42%
Production by source nuclear: 0%
Production by source other: 0% (1996)
Consumption: 3.488 billion kWh (1996)
Exports: 157 million kWh (1996)
Imports: 95 million kWh (1996)

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


top of page


Telephones: 273,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system: domestic and international facilities well developed
Domestic: NA
International: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations_2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System

Broadcast media

Internet

Broadband fixed subscriptions


top of page


Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $132 million (1997)
Percent of gdp: 1.6% (1997)

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


top of page


National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 110 (1998 est.)
With paved runways total: 43
With paved runways over 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 5
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 14
With paved runways under 914 m: 22 (1998 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 67
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 17
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 50 (1998 est.)

Heliports

Pipelines: crude oil 130 km

Railways
Total: 355 km
Broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge
Narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge

Roadways

Waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal

Merchant marine
Total: 4,632 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 98,433,972 GRT/149,800,820 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 1,335, cargo 1,028, chemical tanker 288, combination bulk 68, combination ore/oil 15, container 507, liquefied gas tanker 176, livestock carrier 9, multifunction large-load carrier 6, oil tanker 498, passenger 41, passenger-cargo 5, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 312, roll-on/roll-off cargo 102, short-sea passenger 40, specialized tanker 23, vehicle carrier 177
Note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 71 countries among which are Japan 1,262, Greece 378, Hong Kong 244, South Korea 259, Taiwan 229, China 193, Singapore 103, US 116, Switzerland 78, and Indonesia 53 (1998 est.)

Ports and terminals


top of page


Disputes international: none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and major drug-money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving