1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 78,200 sq km land: 75,990 sq km water: 2,210 sq km
Area--comparative
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
Coastline
2,490 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Environment--current issues
water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation
Environment--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 signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geographic coordinates
9 00 N, 80 00 W
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
Irrigated land
320 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries
total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Land use
arable land: 7% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 44% other: 27% (1993 est.)
Location
Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 200 nm
Natural hazards
NA
Natural resources
copper, mahogany forests, shrimp
Terrain
interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
People and Society
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.)
Birth rate
21.69 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate
5.14 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Ethnic groups
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Infant mortality rate
23.35 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official), English 14% note: many Panamanians bilingual
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.66 years male: 71.91 years female: 77.51 years (1999 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.8% male: 91.4% female: 90.2% (1995 est.)
Nationality
noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian
Net migration rate
-1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Population
2,778,526 (July 1999 est.)
Population growth rate
1.53% (1999 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
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.)
Total fertility rate
2.54 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Government
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
Capital
Panama
Constitution
11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama
Data code
PM
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%
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
Government type
constitutional republic
Independence
3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
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 chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Simon FERRO embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
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: Political pressure groups and leaders: National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; National Civic Crusade; Chamber of Commerce; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
Legal system
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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
National holiday
Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Economy
Agriculture--products
bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
Budget
revenues: $2.4 billion expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $341 million (1997 est.)
Currency
1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Debt--external
$7.26 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid--recipient
$197.1 million (1995)
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.
Electricity--consumption
3.488 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports
157 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports
95 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production
3.55 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source
fossil fuel: 29.58% hydro: 70.42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Exchange rates
balboas (B) per US$1--1.000 (fixed rate)
Exports
$6.68 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports--commodities
bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2%
Exports--partners
US 37%, EU, Central America and Caribbean
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP
purchasing power parity--$19.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector
agriculture: 8% industry: 18% services: 74% (1997 est.)
GDP--per capita
purchasing power parity?$7,300 (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate
2.7% (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 42.5% (1991)
Imports
$7.38 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports--commodities
capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumer goods, chemicals
Imports--partners
US 48%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan
Industrial production growth rate
0.4% (1995 est.)
Industries
construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.4% (1998)
Labor force
1.044 million (1997 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
Labor force--by occupation
government and community services 31.8%, agriculture, hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%, manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3%
Population below poverty line
NA%
Unemployment rate
13.1% (1997 est.)
Communications
Radio broadcast stations
AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios
564,000 (1992 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
Telephones
273,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations
9 (in addition, there are 17 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions
420,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Airports
110 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 43 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 22 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 67 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 50 (1998 est.)
Highways
total: 11,100 km paved: 3,730 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,370 km (1996 est.)
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.)
Pipelines
crude oil 130 km Ports and harbors: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte
Railways
total: 355 km broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge
Waterways
800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal
Military and Security
Military branches
an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service)
Military expenditures--dollar figure
$132 million (1997)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP
1.6% (1997)
Military manpower--availability
males age 15-49: 746,910 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 511,866 (1999 est.)
Military--note
in October 1994, a month after President PEREZ BALLADARES assumed office, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of a "special police force" to counter acts of "external aggression"
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
none
Illicit drugs
major cocaine transshipment point and major drug-money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving