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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: $1.9 billion expenditures: $2 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]

$7.6 billion (2001 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

49 (1997)

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

$197.1 million (1995) (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, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-01. The government plans public works programs, tax reforms, and new regional trade agreements in order to stimulate growth.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.651 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports [time series]

20 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports [time series]

120 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - production [time series]

4.894 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 29% hydro: 69% other: 1% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

balboas per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate)

Exports [time series]

$5.9 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing

Exports - partners [time series]

US 45.9%, Sweden 8.1%, Benelux 5.3%, Costa Rica 5.1% (2000 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $16.9 billion (2001 est.)

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

agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2000 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2001 est.)

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

1.4% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 36% (1997) (1997)

Imports [time series]

$6.7 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

US 33.1%, Ecuador 7.2%, Venezuela 6.6%, Japan 5.5% (2000 est.)

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% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

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

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 21%, industry 18%, services 61% (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 water: 2,210 sq km land: 75,990 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; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources

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, Whaling 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 (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 6.72% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 91.2% (1998 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]

occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

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 1 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 short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 6959, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000 FAX: [507] 227-1964

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ALFARO FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008

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) note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change, MORENA, PLN, PS election results: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37%

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, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), 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) 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 elections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)

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]; 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]; Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA]; 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: 789,973 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 540,052 (2002 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 433,494; female 418,120) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 939,550; female 914,646) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 84,130; female 92,389) (2002 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

18.6 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.96 deaths/1,000 population (2002 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]

19.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.89 years female: 78.74 years (2002 est.) male: 73.14 years

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]

-1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Population [time series]

2,882,329 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.26% (2002 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 (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.22 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

107 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 41 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: 21 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 50 (2002)

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: 4,838 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 118,878,358 GRT/180,588,102 DWT ships by type: bulk 1,445, cargo 907, chemical tanker 337, combination bulk 73, combination ore/oil 18, container 560, liquefied gas 207, livestock carrier 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 12, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 542, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 283, roll on/roll off 104, short-sea passenger 38, specialized tanker 34, vehicle carrier 230 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 1, Argentina 11, Australia 13, Austria 2, Bahamas, The 5, Belgium 2, Belize 6, Brazil 6, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 1, Canada 9, Chile 12, China 259, Colombia 14, Croatia 2, Cuba 20, Cyprus 3, Denmark 3, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 3, Egypt 16, Equatorial Guinea 1, France 9, Germany 72, Greece 523, Haiti 1, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 299, Iceland 1, India 18, Indonesia 48, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 9, Japan 1642, Kenya 1, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 18, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 8, Monaco 112, Netherlands 19, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 98, Paraguay 1, Peru 15, Philippines 49, Poland 5, Portugal 7, Puerto Rico 2, Romania 7, Russia 12, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Saudi Arabia 4, Seychelles 1, Singapore 112, South Africa 3, South Korea 342, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 81, Taiwan 334, Thailand 14, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 4, Ukraine 1, United Arab Emirates 54, United Kingdom 73, United States 115, Venezuela 6, Virgin Islands (UK) 8 (2002 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 (2001)

Waterways [time series]

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