| PANAMA Updated 07 November 2012 |
Republic of Panama is located in the southeast of the North American Continent, with a population of 3,510,045,
making it the 132nd largest national population. Its capital and largest city is Panama City with a total population of
880,691. The country encompasses 78,200 square kilometers making it the 118th largest country in total area. It
shares boundaries with Caribbean Sea, Colombia, the North Pacific Ocean and Costa Rica.
President Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal is recognized as the Chief of State and Head of Government, and along with Vice
President Juan Carlos Varela, achieves that status through popular vote and holds that position for five years. Its form
of government is a constitutional democracy and they celebrate the creation of their constitution on 11th of October
1972.
The languages commonly or officially spoken are Spanish and English. It counts among its major religions Roman
Catholic and Protestant. As sources of mass communication it has 101 AM, 134 FM and 38 Television stations.
Major geographical features are Volcan Baru, its highest point at 3,475 meters and the Pacific Ocean, its lowest point
at 0 meters. Its principal waterways are the Panama Canal, Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, which measure 800
kilometers.
Major industries providing for the bulk of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are construction, brewing, cement
and other construction materials and sugar milling. Its official currencies are the Panamanian Balboa and the United
States Dollar.
Here’s something you may not know about Panama. Ships traveling between New York and San Francisco save
7,872 miles by using the Panama Canal instead of going around Cape Horn of South America.
making it the 132nd largest national population. Its capital and largest city is Panama City with a total population of
880,691. The country encompasses 78,200 square kilometers making it the 118th largest country in total area. It
shares boundaries with Caribbean Sea, Colombia, the North Pacific Ocean and Costa Rica.
President Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal is recognized as the Chief of State and Head of Government, and along with Vice
President Juan Carlos Varela, achieves that status through popular vote and holds that position for five years. Its form
of government is a constitutional democracy and they celebrate the creation of their constitution on 11th of October
1972.
The languages commonly or officially spoken are Spanish and English. It counts among its major religions Roman
Catholic and Protestant. As sources of mass communication it has 101 AM, 134 FM and 38 Television stations.
Major geographical features are Volcan Baru, its highest point at 3,475 meters and the Pacific Ocean, its lowest point
at 0 meters. Its principal waterways are the Panama Canal, Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, which measure 800
kilometers.
Major industries providing for the bulk of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are construction, brewing, cement
and other construction materials and sugar milling. Its official currencies are the Panamanian Balboa and the United
States Dollar.
Here’s something you may not know about Panama. Ships traveling between New York and San Francisco save
7,872 miles by using the Panama Canal instead of going around Cape Horn of South America.
| Chucunague River which flows from Colombia into Panama through the Darien Gap |
| David on the Pacific Ocean's Gulf of Chiriqui |
| Darien National Park in the southernmost region of Panama |
| Dirt road through the Darien Gap on Panama's border with Colombia |
| Panamanian lunch table featuring Carimanolas (Stuffed Yuca Fritters) and Ceviche de Pollo (Chicken Ceviche) |
| Panamanian girls |
| Shipwrecked submarine off the coast of one of the Pearl Islands in the Pacific Ocean- Panama's lowest point |
| Survivor Pearl Islands group photo |
| Panama City- Panama's capital and largest city |
| Abi's Home Page |
| Back to |
| NEWSPAPERS Prensa Critica La Estrella de Panama |
| The Pacific entrance into the Panama Canal at Balboa |
| Volcan Baru- Panama's highest point |
Read about human rights in Pax
Gaea World Post Report!
Gaea World Post Report!
| Bocas del Toro Islands on the Caribbean Sea |
| Railroad bridge connecting Panama to Costa Rica |
| Colon- the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal |
| Fillekunas native girl on San Blas Island |
| Isla Escuado de Veraguas in the Golfo de los Mosquitos |
| Colonial fortifications at Portobelo San Lorenzo on Panama's Caribbean Sea |
| Playa Horcones on Puente Cerro Hoya- Panama's southernmost point on the Colombian border |
| San Blas Island on the Caribbean Sea |
| Yaviza at the end of the Pan-American Highway at the northern end of the Darien Gap |
| Indigenous Kuna women in traditional dress |
| Galeta Point Marine Laboratory- Panama's northernmost point on the Caribbean Sea |
| Altos de Limon- Panama's easternmost point in the Darien Gap on the border with Colombia |
| Punta Barica- Panama's westernmost point on the Pacific Ocean and border of Costa Rica |
| Adult Prevalence Rate: People Living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS Deaths: |
0.9% (2009 est.)
20,000
1,500
20,000
1,500
