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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.pa

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

7,078 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

220,000 (2006)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed domestic: NA international: country code - 507; 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]

432,900 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.694 million (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

38 (including repeaters) (1998)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.283 billion expenditures: $4.195 billion (2006 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)

Current account balance [time series]

$-378.2 million (2006 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$9.972 billion (2006 est.)

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

56.1 (2003)

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

$19.54 million (2005)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Panama's dollarized economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in the Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-03; growth picked up in 2004-06 led by export-oriented services and a construction boom stimulated by tax incentives. The government has implemented tax reforms, as well as social security reforms, and backs regional trade agreements and development of tourism. Unemployment remains high. In October 2006, voters passed a referendum to expand the Panama Canal to accommodate ships that are now too large to transverse the transoceanic crossway. Not a CAFTA signatory, Panama in December 2006 independently negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, which, when implemented, will help promote the country's economic growth.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.735 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports [time series]

51 million kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports [time series]

55 million kWh (2005)

Electricity - production [time series]

5.661 billion kWh (2005)

Exchange rates [time series]

balboas per US dollar - 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$8.509 billion f.o.b.; note - includes the Colon Free Zone (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing

Exports - partners [time series]

US 39.8%, Spain 8.1%, Netherlands 6.7%, Sweden 5.6%, Costa Rica 4.5% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$16.47 billion (2006 est.)

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

$26.16 billion (2006 est.)

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

agriculture: 7.3% industry: 16.5% services: 76.3% (2006 est.)

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

$8,200 (2006 est.)

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

8.1% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 43% (2003)

Imports [time series]

$10.31 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 27%, Netherlands Antilles 10.1%, Costa Rica 5.1%, Japan 4.7% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2006 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.1% (2006 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

15.3% of GDP (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.439 million note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$5.074 billion (2005)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

79,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

37% (1999 est.)

Public debt [time series]

58.4% of GDP (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.335 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Unemployment rate [time series]

8.8% (2006 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 Baru 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, 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]

430 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005)

Location [time series]

Central 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: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin

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*(Kuna Yala), and Veraguas

Capital [time series]

name: Panama geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004

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 William A. EATON embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, 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 Federico HUMBERT Arias chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for two more terms); election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held on 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president. election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9% note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party), PP (Popular Party)

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]

CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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 National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in 2009, the number of seats will change to 71 elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 41, PA 17, PS 9, MOLIRENA 4, CD 3, PLN 3, PP 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]

Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hugo GUIRAUD]; Liberal Party or PLN [Joaquin F. Franco VASQUEZ]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Gisela CHUNG]; Panamenista Party or PA [Juan Carlos VARELA] (formerly the Arnulfista Party); Patriotic Union Party or PUP [Jose Raul MULINO and Anibal GALINDO]; Popular Party or PP [Rene ORILLAC] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC); Solidarity Party or PS

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

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

Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. 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. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. 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 transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which is to begin in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 751,065 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 591,604 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 29,724

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

1% (2006)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 30% (male 496,195/female 476,508) 15-64 years: 63.6% (male 1,044,139/female 1,016,805) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 97,365/female 111,161) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

21.45 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2007 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]

0.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 500 (2003 est.)

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

16,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 15.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.19 years male: 72.69 years female: 77.8 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.9% male: 92.5% female: 91.2% (2000 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 26.4 years male: 26 years female: 26.7 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

3,242,173 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.564% (2007 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.041 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.027 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.876 male(s)/female total population: 1.021 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.66 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama

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]

116 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 54 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 29 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 62 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 50 (2007)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 5,764 ships (1000 GRT or over) 159,649,801 GRT/240,190,316 DWT by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 1,940, cargo 1,034, carrier 3, chemical tanker 507, combination ore/oil 6, container 710, liquefied gas 191, livestock carrier 7, passenger 46, passenger/cargo 72, petroleum tanker 522, refrigerated cargo 288, roll on/roll off 129, specialized tanker 22, vehicle carrier 285 foreign-owned: 4,949 (Albania 1, Argentina 8, Australia 4, Bahamas 2, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 11, Bulgaria 1, Canada 17, Chile 8, China 473, Colombia 4, Croatia 6, Cuba 11, Cyprus 15, Denmark 32, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 2, Egypt 13, Estonia 3, France 15, Gabon 1, Germany 38, Greece 505, Hong Kong 137, India 25, Indonesia 37, Iran 4, Ireland 1, Israel 2, Italy 10, Jamaica 1, Japan 2,151, Jordan 11, South Korea 316, Kuwait 1, Latvia 5, Lebanon 3, Lithuania 5, Malaysia 14, Maldives 1, Malta 2, Mexico 4, Monaco 11, Netherlands 14, Nigeria 6, Norway 60, Oman 1, Pakistan 5, Peru 15, Philippines 12, Poland 15, Portugal 9, Qatar 1, Romania 8, Russia 9, Saudi Arabia 14, Singapore 83, Spain 61, Sri Lanka 3, Sweden 9, Switzerland 26, Syria 24, Taiwan 306, Thailand 10, Turkey 53, Turks and Caicos Islands 1, Ukraine 8, UAE 108, UK 35, US 115, Venezuela 10, Vietnam 10, Yemen 5) registered in other countries: 1 (Venezuela 1) (2007)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Balboa, Colon, Cristobal

Railways [time series]

total: 355 km standard gauge: 77 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 278 km 0.914-m gauge (2006)

Roadways [time series]

total: 11,643 km paved: 4,028 km unpaved: 7,615 km (2000)

Waterways [time series]

800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2007)