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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

564,000 (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

273,000 (1991 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

420,000 (1992 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; fishing (shrimp)

Budget [time series]

revenues : $1.86 billion expenditures: $1.86 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos

Debt - external [time series]

$5.6 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $58 million (1993)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Because of its key geographic location, Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, and tourism. Panama's former protectionist policies have taken their toll, and the economy has been sluggish the last two years, with GDP growth at 1.9% in 1995 and 1.5% in 1996. Although tourism and the Panama Canal posted growth in 1996, most sectors remained stagnant, and some, like the Colon Free Zone, banana and shrimp exports, and construction, were down from 1995. Although the PEREZ BALLADARES administration 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 positive effects of this program have not yet been felt at the macroeconomic level. In 1996, the government concluded a Brady-type plan to restructure the country's commercial debt - one of the highest in the world in per capita terms - allowing it to reenter international financial markets. Panama also completed all requirements to join the World Trade Organization (WTrO) and is awaiting legislative ratification to become a full member.

Electricity - capacity [time series]

1.1405 billion kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

1,069 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.519 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

total value: $570 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2% partners: US 39%, EU, Central America and Caribbean

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $14 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 10% industry : 16% services: 74% (1995 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $5,300 (1996 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1.5% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $2.512 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumer goods, chemicals partners: US 40%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0.4% (1995 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

1.3% (1996 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total : 1.015 million (1996 est.) 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% note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor

Unemployment rate [time series]

14% (1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 78,200 sq km land: 75,990 sq km water: 2,210 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

2,490 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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 signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates [time series]

9 00 N, 80 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

320 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

copper, mahogany forests, shrimp

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983

Country name [time series]

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

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador William John HUGHES embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 mailing address : American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 227-1377

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Eduardo Gonzalez MORGAN chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 consulate(s) general : Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state : President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994); First Vice President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez (since 1 September 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government : President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994); First Vice President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1 September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez (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 9 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%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[507] 227-1964

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

constitutional republic

Independence [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

AG (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, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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 9 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, PL 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

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Panama

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

governing coalition : Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Gerardo GONZALEZ; Liberal Republican Party (PLR), Rodolfo CHIARI; Labor Party (PALA), Carlos Lopez GUEVARA other parties: Solidarity Party (PS), Samuel LEWIS GALINDO; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Ramon MORALES Quijano; Authentic Liberal Party (PLA), Arnulfo ESCALONA; Arnulfista Party (PA), Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Ruben AROSEMENA; Liberal Party (PL), Roberto ALEMAN Zubieta; Papa Egoro Movement (MPE), Gloria YOUNG; Civic Renewal Party (PRC), Tomas HERRERA; National Unity Mission Party (MUN), Jose Manuel PAREDES; Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Jacinto CARDENAS; National Renovation Movement (MORENA), Pedro VALLERINO

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Panamanian Public Forces (PPF; includes the National Police, National Maritime Service, National Air Service, and Institutional Protective Service); Judicial Technical Police; note - the Constitution prohibits armed forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$78 million (1995); note - for police and security forces

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

NA%

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 719,467 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males: 493,819 (1997 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 32% (male 444,673; female 426,823) 15-64 years: 62% (male 846,707; female 824,690) 65 years and over : 6% (male 72,472; female 78,052) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

22.27 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.15 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

24.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.28 years male: 71.55 years female : 77.1 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.8% male: 91.4% female : 90.2% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

2,693,417 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.58% (1997 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.6 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

major cocaine transshipment point and major drug money-laundering center; minor producer of coca leaf; active eradication program PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Transportation

Airports [time series]

97 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 80 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 : 59 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 17 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 10,792 km paved : 3,615 km unpaved: 7,177 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 4,062 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 80,120,443 GRT/122,668,194 DWT ships by type: bulk 1,051, cargo 1,049, chemical tanker 172, combination bulk 65, combination ore/oil 21, container 353, liquefied gas tanker 169, livestock carrier 8, multifunction large-load carrier 4, oil tanker 529, passenger 35, passenger-cargo 10, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 293, roll-on/roll-off cargo 90, short-sea passenger 38, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 162 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 76 countries among which are Japan 1,240, Greece 361, Hong Kong 301, South Korea 226, Taiwan 212, China 168, Singapore 132, US 127, Switzerland 76, and UK 65 (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 130 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Vacamonte

Railways [time series]

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

Waterways [time series]

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