Capital of PanamaPanama City
Currency Balboa, exchange rate:1 US$ = 1 Balboa, B (fixed rate).
Administrative divisions9 provinces: Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama and Veraguas. 3 territories: Emberá-Wounaan, Kuna Yala (San Blas) and Ngobe-Bugle.
Population3.2 millions growth rate 1.6% (2007 est.). Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%.
LanguagesSpanish (official), English 14%, many Panamanians are bilingual.
ReligionsRoman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%.
ClimateTropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season from May to January, short dry season from January to May.
Geography78,200 sq. km. Interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills.
National AnthemListen to the National Anthem of Panama
Public holidays
January 1 - New Years Day.
January 9 - Mourning Day.
February 15 - Carnival.
March/April - Good Friday.
May 1 - Labor Day.
November 3 - Independence Day (1903 from Colombia).
November 4 - Flag Day.
November 10 - The rebellion of the Saints.
November 28 - Independence from Spain.
December 8 - Mother's Day.
December 25 - Christmas Day.
Newspapers
La Prensa |
El Siglo |
La Estrella
Natural resourcesCopper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower.
IndustriesConstruction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling.
Agriculture productsBananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables, livestock, shrimp.
GDPUS$ 26.2 billion, real growth rate 8.1%, per capita US$ 8,200 (2006 est.).
ExportsUS$ 8.5 billion (f.o.b., 2006 est.). Bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing. |
