Panama

Republic of PanamaRepublica de Panama

constitutional democracyIndependence 3 November 1903 (from Colombia

Panama as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 109 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalPanama

Position9 00 N, 80 00 W

Area78,200 sq km

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

Populationas each edition published it

2.81 million July 2000 est. · 2.43m in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.34% 2000 est. · 1.98% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 25.6 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

75.47 years 2000 est. · 74.56 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.32 children per woman 2000 est. · 3.1 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

20.8 deaths per 1,000 live births 2000 est. · 22 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$7,600 1999 est. · $2,400 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

4.4% 1999 est. · 8% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

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.

Geography

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

18 fields

Land useshare of 78,200 sq km

arable land 7%permanent crops 2%permanent pastures 20%forests and woodland 44%other 27% (1993 est.)irrigated 320 sq km (1993 est.)

Area

78,200sq km

land: 75,990 sq kmwater: 2,210 sq kmslightly smaller than South Carolina

Coastline

2,490km

contiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Highest point

3,475m

Volcan de Chiriquilowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Land boundaries

555km

border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

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 references

Central America and the Caribbean

Climate

tropical maritime;
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

Natural resources

copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

Natural hazards

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

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

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

15 fields

Population

2,808,268

(July 2000 est.)growth rate: 1.34% (2000 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2000 est.)

Birth

19.53Death

4.95Net migration

-1.16

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2000 est.)75.47

72.74 · 78.31

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1995 est.)90.8%

91.4% · 90.2%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

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

Age structure

0-14 years:: 31% (male 439,590; female 422,949)
15-64 years:: 63% (male 901,793; female 878,138)
65 years and over:: 6% (male 79,330; female 86,468) (2000 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:: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population:: 1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate

20.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.32 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Panamanian(s)
adjective:: Panamanian

Religions

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Languages

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

Government

Constitutional democracy; President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999)

19 fields

Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa, 71 seats, elected 2 May 1999one dot, one seat

PRD 35PA 18PS 4PDC 4MOLIRENA 3PRC 2PLN 2Democratic Change 2MORENA 1

Country name

conventional long form:: Republic of Panama
conventional short form:: Panama
local long form:: Republica de Panama
local short form:: Panama

Data code

Government type

constitutional democracy

Capital

Panama

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 2 territories* (comarca);
Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Ngobe-Bugle*, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas

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 and in 1994

Legal system

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999);
First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999);
Second Vice President (Dominador) Kaiser Baldonero BAZAN (since 1 September 1999);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999);
First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999);
Second Vice President (Dominador) Kaiser Baldonero BAZAN (since 1 September 1999);
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 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)
election results:: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37%

note: government coalition - PRD, PLN, and Popular Nationalist Party

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held May 2004)
election results:: percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - PRD 35, PA 18, PS 4, PDC 4, MOLIRENA 3, PRC 2, PLN 2, Democratic Change 2, MORENA 1;
note - one seat had yet to be decided

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 or Corte Suprema de Justicia, nine judges appointed for 10-year terms;
five superior courts;
three courts of appeal

Political parties and leaders

Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez];
Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ruben AROSEMENA];
Civic Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA];
Democratic Change [Ricardo MARTINELLI];
Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS];
National Liberal Party or PLN [Dr. Roberto ALEMAN Zubieta, Oscar UCROS, Raul ARANGO];
National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Joaquin Jose VALLARINO];
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Arturo VALLARINO];
Solidarity Party or PS [Ricardo FABREGA]

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;
Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;
Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP;
Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP

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 Guillermo FORD
chancery:: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:: [1] (202) 483-1407
consulate(s) general:: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, 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
telephone:: [507] 227-1777
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

Economy

Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism.

31 fields

Real growth rate

4.4%

(1999 est.)industrial production growth: 0.4% (1995 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

1.5%

(1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

13.1%

(1997 est.)

Labor force

1.044million

(1997 est.)note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor

GDP - composition by sector(1997 est.)

agriculture 8%industry 25%services 67% (1997 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$2.4 billionExpenditures

$2.4 billion (1997 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $341 million

Electricity

fossil fuel 25.56%hydro 73.78%other 0.66% (1998)nuclear 0%

Electricity production

4.523 billion (1998)Electricity consumption

4.329 billion (1998)Electricity exports

13 million (1998)Electricity imports

136 million (1998)

Economy - overview

Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism. The hand-over of the canal and military installations by the US has given rise to new construction projects. The MOSCOSO administration inherited an economy that is much more structurally sound and liberalized than the one inherited by its predecessor.

Even though export demand is likely to remain slack in some key markets - especially the Andean countries - GDP growth in 2000 probably will be 3% to 4%. Key reform initiatives from the previous administration - including the privatization of public utilities - remain uncompleted.

Although President MOSCOSO is unlikely to overturn any previous reforms, her populist leanings make it unlikely any new initiatives will be undertaken in the near future. Indeed, the government has failed to formulate a comprehensive economic policy framework, and the only concrete step it has taken by yearend 1999 has been a hike in agricultural tariffs.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $21 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $7,600 (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 18%, industry 18%, services 64% (1997 est.)

Industries

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

Agriculture - products

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

Exports

$4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities

bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee

Exports - partners

US 40%, Sweden, Costa Rica, Spain, Benelux, Honduras (1998)

Imports

$6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 40%, Central America and Caribbean, Japan (1998)

Debt - external

$7 billion (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$197.1 million (1995)

Currency

1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos

Exchange rates

balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

(1995)

Internet users

(1999)

Fixed lines

325,300

(1998)

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

Radio broadcast stations

AM 80, FM 44, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

815,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

9 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

510,000 (1997)

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

over 3,047 m

2,438 to 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

Paved 41Unpaved 64

Networkskm

Highways

11,258Railways

355

Highways: paved: 3,783 km (including 30 km of expressways) · unpaved: 7,475 km (1999 est.) · Railways: broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge · narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge

Railways

total:: 355 km
broad gauge:: 76 km 1.524-m gauge
narrow gauge:: 279 km 0.914-m gauge

Highways

total:: 11,258 km
paved:: 3,783 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved:: 7,475 km (1999 est.)

Waterways

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

Pipelines

crude oil 130 km

Ports and harbors

Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte

Merchant marine

total:: 4,732 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 106,054,086 GRT/159,304,019 DWT
ships by type:: bulk 1,377, cargo 976, chemical tanker 323, combination bulk 68, combination ore/oil 15, container 525, liquified gas 184, livestock carrier 8, multi-functional large load carrier 12, passenger 46, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 496, rail car carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 313, roll-on/roll-off 106, short-sea passenger 42, specialized tanker 33, vehicle carrier 202 (1999 est.)

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.)

Airports

105 (1999 est.)

Military

6 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.6%

(FY97)

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

2 fields

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, yet Panama has failed to prosecute anyone for money laundering - official corruption remains a major problem [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Central Intelligence Agency. “Panama.” The World Factbook 2000. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/panama/2000.

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