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