2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), and Veraguas

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.8% (male 460,840/female 443,359) 15-64 years: 63.9% (male 984,558/female 956,748) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 91,383/female 102,262) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp

Airports

105 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

44 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

61 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 49 (2004 est.) Military Panama

Area

land

75,990 sq km

total

78,200 sq km

water

2,210 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina

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 the end of 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 by or on 31 December 1999. Geography Panama

Birth rate

19.96 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$3.737 billion, including capital expenditures of $471 million (2004 est.)

revenues

$3.095 billion

Capital

Panama

Climate

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

Coastline

2,490 km

Constitution

11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Panama

conventional short form

Panama

local long form

Republica de Panama

local short form

Panama

Currency (code)

balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)

Currency code

PAB; USD

Current account balance

$-469.6 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

6.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$8.78 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT

embassy

Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City 5

FAX

[507] 227-1964

mailing address

American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002

telephone

[507] 207-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Arias

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa

FAX

[1] (202) 483-8416

telephone

[1] (202) 483-1407

Disputes - international

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the border region with Panama

Distribution of family income - Gini index

48.5 (1997)

Economic aid - recipient

$197.1 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Panama's dollarised economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for four-fifths of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-03; growth picked up in 2004 led by export-oriented services and a construction boom stimulated by tax incentives. The government has been backing tax reforms, reform of the social security program, new regional trade agreements, and development of tourism. Unemployment remains high.

Electricity - consumption

4.473 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

120 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

61 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

4.873 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

37%

hydro

61.3%

nuclear

0%

other

1.7% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

balboas per US dollar - 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9% note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party), PP (Popular Party)

elections

president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president.

head of government

President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Exports

$5.699 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999)

Exports - partners

US 50.5%, Sweden 6.6%, Spain 5.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, Costa Rica 4.2% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Panama

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 Economy Panama

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

7.2%

industry

13%

services

79.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $6,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.57 billion (2004 est.)

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 People Panama

Government type

constitutional democracy

Highways

paved

4,028 km (including 30 km of expressways)

total

11,643 km

unpaved

7,615 km (2000 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

16,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)

Illicit drugs

major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$7.164 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 33.3%, Netherlands Antilles 8.1%, Japan 6%, Costa Rica 5.7%, Mexico 4.6%, Colombia 4.2% (2004)

Independence

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

Industrial production growth rate

5.4% (2004 est.)

Industries

construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling

Infant mortality rate

female

18.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

22.59 deaths/1,000 live births

total

20.47 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.pa

Internet hosts

7,129 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

6 (2000)

Internet users

120,000 (2002) Transportation Panama

Investment (gross fixed)

25% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

320 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

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

Labor force

1.32 million note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

total

555 km

Land use

arable land

7.36%

other

90.66% (2001)

permanent crops

1.98%

Languages

Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual

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 National Assembly (formerly called Legislative Assembly) or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - in 2009, the number of seats will change to 71)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, CD 2, PP 2, PLN 1, other 5 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

elections

last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009)

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.93 years (2005 est.)

male

72.68 years

total population

75.25 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.9% (2003 est.) Government Panama

male

93.2%

total population

92.6%

Location

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 733,031 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 511,905 (2005 est.)

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

26.48 years (2005 est.)

male

25.89 years

total

26.18 years

Merchant marine

by type

barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 1,548, cargo 886, chemical tanker 465, combination ore/oil 13, container 605, liquefied gas 183, livestock carrier 8, passenger 42, passenger/cargo 77, petroleum tanker 521, refrigerated cargo 298, roll on/roll off 97, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 256

foreign-owned

4,388 (Andorra 1, Argentina 9, Australia 3, Bahamas 1, Belgium 14, Brazil 1, Canada 1, Chile 14, China 310, Colombia 5, Croatia 1, Cuba 9, Cyprus 7, Denmark 13, Egypt 15, France 7, Germany 23, Greece 546, Hong Kong 159, India 8, Indonesia 46, Ireland 1, Isle of Man 2, Israel 3, Italy 8, Japan 1814, Jordan 9, Latvia 2, Lithuania 5, Malaysia 11, Maldives 1, Malta 1, Mexico 4, Monaco 8, Netherlands 22, New Zealand 1, Nigeria 6, Norway 66, Pakistan 1, Peru 13, Philippines 15, Poland 19, Portugal 8, Romania 13, Russia 4, Saudi Arabia 4, Singapore 54, South Africa 3, South Korea 292, Spain 41, Sri Lanka 1, Sudan 1, Sweden 4, Switzerland 188, Syria 7, Taiwan 301, Thailand 10, Trinidad & Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 18, Ukraine 9, UAE 83, United Kingdom 29, United States 88, Venezuela 20, Vietnam 2, Yemen 1) (2005)

total

5,005 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,960,929 GRT/183,615,337 DWT

Military - note

on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression" Transnational Issues Panama

Military branches

an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$147 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.1% (2004)

National holiday

Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

Nationality

adjective

Panamanian

noun

Panamanian(s)

Natural hazards

occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

Natural resources

copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

Net migration rate

-0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

40,520 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Anibal GALINDO]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Jesus ROSAS]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly the Arnulfista Party) [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA]; Solidarity Party or PS [Jose Raul MULINO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP

Population

3,039,150 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

37% (1999 est.)

Population growth rate

1.26% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Balboa, Colon, Cristobal

Public debt

69.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

815,000 (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

279 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

standard gauge

76 km 1.435-m gauge

total

355 km

Religions

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.076 billion (2004 est.)

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: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Telephone system

domestic

NA

general assessment

domestic and international facilities well developed

international

country code - 507; 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System

Telephones - main lines in use

386,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

834,000 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

38 (including repeaters) (1998)

Televisions

510,000 (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

2.45 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

12.6% (2004 est.)

Waterways

800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2004)