Panama

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.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: Colombia, Costa Rica

related countries: United States, Spain

Official Name:
República de Panamá
short form: Panamá
int'l long form: Republic of Panama
int'l short form: Panama

ISO Country Code: pa

Time:
Local Time = UTC -5h

Country Calling Code: +507

Capital City: Panama City (830 000)

Other Cities:
Colon (140 000), David (100 000).

Government:
Type: Constitutional democracy.
Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia).
Constitution: 11 October 1972; amended 1983 and 1994 and reformed in 2004.

Geography:
Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. Panama occupies the southeastern end of the isthmus forming the land bridge between North and South America.
Area: 78 200 sq. km. (30 193 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Mountainous (highest elevation Cerro Volcan, 3,475 m.--11,468 ft.), upland plains; coastal areas.

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

People:
Nationality: Panamanian(s).
Population: 3 million.
Annual growth rate: 1.31%.
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European ancestry) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, Caucasian 10%, Amerindian 6%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 84%, Protestant 15%, other.
Languages: Spanish (official); 14% speak English as their native tongue; various indigenous languages. Many Panamanians are bilingual.
Literacy: 93%

Natural resources: Copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower.

Agriculture products: Bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp.

Industries: Construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling

Exports partners: USA 12.2%, Nigeria 9.4%, Germany 8.4%, South Korea 8.2%, El Salvador 5.7%, Peru 5.1%, Costa Rica 5.1%, Japan 4.1% (2004)

Imports partners: Japan 32.9%, China 10.6%, USA 9.8%, South Korea 7.2%, Singapore 7.1%, Italy 4.5% (2004)

Currency: Balboa (PAB); US Dollar (USD)