| The combination of incredible natural beauty, pleasant | | | | the national economy. Panama has 1,398 tourist |
| moderate climates as well as access to international | | | | attractions of which 70%, are natural sites and 30% |
| markets and the quality and low cost of the labor | | | | are cultural and historical sites. |
| force, make Panama an ideal place to live. You can | | | | Panama's Environment |
| drive from a modern, bustling urban environment to a | | | | Panama is a natural land bridge that connects North |
| rain forest teeming with animal and plant life in as little | | | | and Central America with South America. Both the |
| as an hour. | | | | northwestern and eastern halves of Panama as well |
| Stats: | | | | as the canal zone is dominated by rain forests |
| Full country name: Republic of Panama | | | | teeming with animal and plant species from both |
| Area: 78,000 sq km (30,420 sq mi) | | | | continents. More bird species live in Panama than in |
| Population: 3 million (July 2005) (growth rate 1.3%) | | | | North America. In total, there are 954 indigenous bird |
| Capital city: Panama City (pop 700,000) | | | | species plus hundreds of migrating bird species. |
| People: | | | | Panama is also home to 225 mammal species, 214 |
| 70% mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) | | | | reptile species and 143 amphibious species, as well as |
| 14% Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) | | | | host to more than 10,000 plant species. |
| 10% White | | | | Panama provides visitors with an abundance of |
| 6% Amerindian | | | | protected areas. More than 29 percent of Panama's |
| Language: | | | | land mass is given over to 15 national parks, a dozen |
| Spanish | | | | forest reserves and 10 wild life sanctuaries. |
| English | | | | There are hundreds of islands near the Panamanian |
| Indian languages | | | | coasts. The two major archipelagos are the San Blas |
| Religion: | | | | and Bocas del Toro chains in the Caribbean, though |
| 85% Roman Catholic | | | | the best snorkeling, diving and deep-sea fishing are to |
| 10% Protestant | | | | be found in the Pacific near Coiba Island and the Pearl |
| 5% Islamic | | | | Islands. Panama has flat coastal lowlands and two |
| Government: Constitutional republic | | | | mountain chains running along its spine. The highest |
| President: Martin Torrijos | | | | peak is Volcáán Barúú at 11,400ft. |
| GDP: US$8.8 billion | | | | There are two seasons. The dry season lasts from |
| GDP per head: US$3200 | | | | January to mid-April and the rainy season from |
| Annual growth: 4.1% | | | | mid-April to December. Rainfall is heavier on the |
| Inflation: 1.1% | | | | Caribbean side of the highlands, though most people |
| Exports: $5.699 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free | | | | live on or near the Pacific coast. Temperatures are |
| Zone) (2004 est.) | | | | typically hot in the lowlands (between 70F and 90F) |
| Exports - commodities: bananas, shrimp, sugar, | | | | and cool in the mountains (between 50F-64F). |
| coffee, clothing (1999) | | | | Panamanian Culture |
| Exports - partners: US 50.5%, Sweden 6.6%, Spain | | | | The culture, customs, and language of the |
| 5.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, Costa Rica 4.2% (2004) | | | | Panamanians are predominantly Caribbean Spanish. |
| Imports: $7.164 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free | | | | Ethnically, the majority of the population is mestizo or |
| Zone) (2004 est.) | | | | mixed Spanish, Indian, Chinese, and West Indian. |
| Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, | | | | Spanish is the official and dominant language; English is |
| consumer goods, chemicals | | | | a common second language spoken by the West |
| Imports - partners: US 33.3%, Netherlands Antilles | | | | Indians and by many in business and the professions. |
| 8.1%, Japan 6%, Costa Rica 5.7%, Mexico 4.6%, | | | | More than half the population lives in the Panama City |
| Colombia 4.2% (2004) | | | | Colón metropolitan corridor. |
| Panama's Economy | | | | The local folklore can be experienced through a |
| Three-fourths of Panama's GDP relies on an economy | | | | multitude of festivals, dances and traditions that |
| based primarily on well-developed services sector. | | | | reflect the influence of the different ethnic groups |
| Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon | | | | that make up the country. To the north, in |
| Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship | | | | Colón Province, the traditions of African influence |
| registry, and tourism. Panama's economy has positive | | | | are observed such as Congo drums dating back to |
| and sustained growth due to economic stability in the | | | | the era of slavery and the Black Christ feast. In the |
| last few years, including an inflation level that is | | | | south, the May Pole ceremony is found in Bocas del |
| among the lowest in the world, and a per capita | | | | Toro, which is a European tradition. Throughout the |
| income that is among the highest in Latin America. | | | | country year-round festivals take place in each town |
| During the last 15 years, income from international | | | | in honor of the Patron Saint of each town. The |
| tourism in the Republic of Panama has grown 1.5 | | | | Panamanian carnival, held before Ash Wednesday and |
| times faster than the national GDP, and there is no | | | | the beginning of Lent, is a colorful celebration of the |
| indication that it will decrease. For the year 2005, | | | | mix of different customs of all the ethnic groups. |
| tourism has contributed between 15% and 20% to | | | | |