Panama Guide and Resources

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

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly smaller than South Carolina

Geographic Coordinates
9 00 N, 80 00 W

Capital
Panama

Nationality
Panamanian(s)

Currency
balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)

Languages Spoken
Spanish (official), English 14%

Population
2,882,329 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
1.02 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

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

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

Religion Demographics
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Geographic Areas
Total :: 78,200 sq km
Land :: 75,990 sq km
Water :: 2,210 sq km
Coastline :: 2,490 km

Bordered By
Colombia, Costa Rica

Argentina 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
occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

Brief Geography Notes
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

Government
constitutional democracy

Administrative Districts
9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory (comarca)