View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2001 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

6 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.pa

Internet users [time series]

45,000 (2000)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios [time series]

815,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: 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 - main lines in use) [time series]

396,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

17,000 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

38 (including repeaters) (1998)

Televisions [time series]

510,000 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.8 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $471 million (2000 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

PAB; USD

Debt - external [time series]

$7.56 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$197.1 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, high oil prices, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000. The government plans public works programs, tax reforms, and new regional trade agreements in order to stimulate growth in 2001.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.049 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

95 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

40 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

4.413 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 27.78% hydro: 71.65% nuclear: 0% other: 0.57% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

balboas per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate)

Exports [time series]

$5.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing

Exports - partners [time series]

US 42%, Germany 11%, Costa Rica 5%, Benelux 4%, Italy 4% (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $16.6 billion (2000 est.)

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

agriculture: 7% industry: 16.5% services: 76.5% (1999 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2000 est.)

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

2.5% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$6.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

US 39%, Colon Free Zone 14%, Japan 8%, Ecuador 6%, Mexico 5% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2000 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.8% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.1 million (2000 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Population below poverty line [time series]

37% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

13% (2000 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 maritime; 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 and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal

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

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 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]

contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

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 one territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas

Capital [time series]

Panama

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Simon FERRO embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo BOYD 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

Executive branch [time series]

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 Jimenez (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 Jimenez (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 - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change, MORENA, PLN, PS

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 democracy

Independence [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice or 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 (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA 3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2, PRC 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 [time series]

Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

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

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 [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo]; National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo]

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

Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); 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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Military - note [time series]

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"

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

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 [time series]

$128 million (FY99)

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

1.3% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 775,966 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 530,916 (2001 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 30.13% (male 436,661; female 420,625) 15-64 years: 63.86% (male 920,787; female 896,520) 65 years and over: 6.01% (male 81,682; female 89,372) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

19.06 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1.54% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,200 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

24,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

20.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.68 years male: 72.94 years female: 78.53 years (2001 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]

-1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

2,845,647 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.3% (2001 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: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.27 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

major cocaine transshipment point and major drug money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem; Panama was cited by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) an international organization that includes the US Government, for its lack of cooperation in the fight against international money laundering

Transportation

Airports [time series]

107 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 42 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 22 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 52 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 11,592 km paved: 4,079 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,513 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 4,711 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 111,515,984 GRT/169,655,363 DWT ships by type: bulk 1,381, cargo 925, chemical tanker 314, combination bulk 71, combination ore/oil 18, container 525, liquefied gas 193, livestock carrier 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 12, passenger 41, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 544, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 297, roll on/roll off 106, short-sea passenger 36, specialized tanker 29, vehicle carrier 208 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 11, Australia 1, Austria 1, Bermuda 21, Belgium 4, The Bahamas 7, Brazil 2, Canada 4, China 154, Chile 4, Cayman Islands 1, Colombia 6, Cuba 7, Cyprus 4, Denmark 12, Egypt 8, Ireland 2, Equatorial Guinea 1, Finland 1, France 4, Germany 17, Greece 248, Hong Kong 158, Honduras 2, Croatia 3, Indonesia 40, India 11, Iran 1, Israel 3, Italy 7, Japan 1,007, Jordan 2, South Korea 223, Latvia 4, Lithuania 1, Liberia 2, Monaco 43, Malta 1, Mexico 5, Malaysia 6, Netherlands 6, Norway 36, Netherlands Antilles 1, Peru 5, Pakistan 1, Portugal 5, Philippines 10, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 6, Seychelles 2, South Africa 5, Singapore 73, Spain 35, Sweden 4, Syria 11, Switzerland 53, UAE 11, Thailand 15, Taiwan 170, UK 18, US 79, Venezuela 18, Samoa 1 (2000 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 130 km (2001)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

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

882 km note: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal