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Panama, republic, situated on the isthmus linking
South America with Central and North America. The country, which is bisected by the Panama Canal, is bounded on
the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the east by Colombia, on the south by the Pacific Ocean, and on the west by
Costa Rica. Panama's coastline is about 685 km (425 mi) long on the Caribbean and about 1,230 km (765 mi) long
on the Pacific; the country's total area is 75,517 sq km (29,157 sq mi), including the canal region. The capital
is Panama City.
Official Name- Republic of Panama
Capital City- Panama City
Languages- Spanish (official), others
Official Currency- Balboa
Religions- Catholic, Protestant, others
Population- 2,739,000
Land Area- 75,990 sq km (29,340 sq miles)
9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia)
and one territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San
Blas*, and Veraguas
Panama has a population of 2,845,647 (2001 estimate),
up from 2.4 million in 1990. The population is concentrated heavily along the Panama Canal and in the cities on
either end of the passage. It is a highly diverse society, descended from native people and immigrants over thousands
of years.
In the 16th century, when the Spaniards came to
the isthmus, it was occupied by Kuna (Cuna), Guaymí, Chocó, and other American Indian groups. Mestizos
resulted from miscegenation between the Spanish and the Indians. During colonial times people from Africa were
brought to the isthmus as slaves, and still other mixed ethnic types developed as the Africans entered the society.
During the 19th century, with the construction of the Panama City–Colón railroad, new groups arrived—North
Americans (primarily from the United States), French, and Chinese. Large numbers of West Indians (mainly from British
Barbados and Jamaica, as well as Martinique) came to Panama as labourers during the construction of the canal,
and additional U.S. nationals, Spaniards, Italians, and Greeks also arrived.
The first humans entered Panama at least 10,000
years ago. They were descendants of migrants who had crossed a land bridge from Asia to North America. Some of
these first people remained in Panama, while others continued to South America. After the beginning of agriculture
and stone toolmaking, Panama’s native population grew and developed an impressive culture. The early indigenous
people are best known for their beautiful gold jewelry, beads, and multicolored pottery, left behind in huacas,
or burial mounds. In addition to farming, they hunted and fished for food, and traded goods among villages. Most
lived in thatched-roof huts, similar to those in which many of their descendants live today.
In 1501 the Spaniard Rodrigo de Bastidas, in the
company of Juan de la Cosa and Vasco Núñez de Balboa, was the first European to explore the Atlantic
coast of the Isthmus of Panama. In 1510 Diego de Nicuesa, another Spanish explorer, established the settlement
of Nombre de Dios at the mouth of the Chagres River, and to the southwest, Alonso de Ojeda founded San Sebastian
de Urabá. The colony, facing fierce resistance from local Indian tribes, was moved at the instigation of
Balboa. The new site was to the northeast, across the Atrato River, and was named Santa María de la Antigua
del Darién. It became the first permanent settlement on the isthmus and the focus of jealous intrigues centring
around Balboa.
In the early 1800s Spain’s American empire broke
apart as the movement for Latin American independence swept through the colonies. Panama declared independence
from Spain in 1821 and decided to become part of the newly independent Republic of Colombia. For the next 82 years
the Panamanians lived in uneasy isolation from the central government, often making their own laws, frequently
staging revolts, and occasionally declaring their independence. They grew apart culturally and materially from
the rest of Colombia, becoming less religious, more liberal in politics, and more open to outside influences than
Colombians.
The cosmopolitan urban culture near the canal contrasts
with the rural culture of the savannas. The latter area, with its cattle ranches and horsemanship, is something
of a centre of Hispanic tradition. Old folk songs and handicrafts (like the straw-hat industry) are preserved there—for
example, around the towns of Chitré and Las Tablas. Also culturally distinctive are the territories of the
various Indian groups, each with its language and handicrafts, such as brightly embroidered smocks (molas) worn
by Kuna women and netted carrying bags made by the Guaymí. The Kuna have a strong tradition of storytelling,
including epic poetry that can extend for hundreds or thousands of lines. Other areas of cultural interest include
the Caribbean islands of Almirante Bay, with their Antillean customs.
Panamanian culture derives fundamentally from European
musical, artistic, and literary traditions brought by the Spanish. Important African and Native American influences
have been added to these, however, creating hybrid forms unique to Panama. The traditional dance, tamborito, for
example, is descended from Spanish folkways, yet it also incorporates native rhythms, themes, and dance steps.
Popular music, while influenced by international recordings, draws heavily on Afro-Caribbean music. Verse and prose
are composed and published in Spanish but incorporate themes, characters, and plots that arise out of Panama’s
complex experience. Generally speaking, art for the elite stays closer to European models, while that for the lower
classes contains strong African and Native American overtones.
Panama City's Historic District is known for its
colonial architecture, which dates to the 17th century. In 1997 the district was designated a World Heritage site,
as were the old Caribbean coastal fortifications of Portobelo and San Lorenzo in 1980.
Panamanians work hard and take part in public affairs,
but they also enjoy leisure activities. Traditionally, Panamanians have preferred to work in commerce, finance,
brokerages, and services in general. Government employment, teaching, journalism, and careers in law, medicine,
religion, and the arts also attract many who are able to secure appointments or the necessary training. To work
in the upper echelons of government and business, study in Europe or the United States is essential. The military
has rarely been a popular calling.
Central spine of mountain ranges extends almost
the entire length of Panama, dividing the country into Atlantic- and Pacific-facing slopes. The two principal ranges,
the Tabasará Mountains (Cordillera Central) in the west and the Cordillera de San Blas in the east, are
separated near the centre of the country by a saddle of lower land. This depression (the Panama Canal site) divides
the country again—roughly into western and eastern halves. Of the four quadrants thus formed, the southwestern
has the largest number of settlements; however, the environs of the canal account for most of Panama's population
and commerce. The country's highest peak is an inactive volcano, Barú (Chiriquí), which reaches an
elevation of 11,401 feet (3,475 metres).
Wide array of animals common to Central and South
America, including ocelots, sloths, armadillos, pumas, anteaters, spider and howler monkeys, deer, alligators,
crocodiles, and many snakes. It has one of the most diverse populations of birds in the world, ranging from colorful
tropical species to long-distance migrating birds. Due to its unique location, Panama has several animal species
found nowhere else, such as the golden tree frog and giant tree sloth. In populated areas, however, most of the
native animals have been hunted or driven out. Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2002. © 1993-2001
Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Since colonial times, Panama’s location has made
it a crossroads for trade and transit. This role assumed worldwide significance in the 20th century with the completion
of the Panama Canal, which dominated Panama’s economy for decades and tied it closely to the United States. Panama’s
gross domestic product (GDP) was $9.56 billion in 1999, equal to $3,400 per person. Commerce, finance, and business
services constituted the core of Panama’s economy, contributing 76 percent of the GDP. Most economic activity was
concentrated in the urban area of central Panama surrounding the canal. In the 1990s the rural economy accounted
for 10 percent of the GDP and was primarily agricultural, producing farm and ranch commodities. Spending by the
United States on military bases added another 5 percent, or $366 million, to the GDP, but that ended when Panama
assumed control of the canal in 1999.
Nearly three-fourths of the gross domestic product
(GDP) is generated by the service sector—a greater proportion than in any other Latin American country—and services
employ the majority of the workforce. Services have grown mainly because of offshore banking and canal traffic;
public administration and other services are also important. Agriculture and fishing account for less than one-tenth
of the GDP but nearly one-fifth of the workforce.
Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed
services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free
Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports,
high oil prices, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000. The government plans
public works programs, tax reforms, and new regional trade agreements in order to stimulate growth in 2001.
general assessment: domestic and international
facilities well developed domestic: NA international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System
Spanish, the official language of Panama, is spoken
by all but a few Native Americans. About a quarter of the population also speaks English, the language of the West
Indian minority and the international business community. Many other languages can be found in immigrant communities.
Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez];
Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ruben AROSEMENA]; Civic Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic
Change [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or
PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo]; National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox]; Nationalist Republican
Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo] Political pressure
groups and leaders: Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO;
National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP;
Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation
of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
Panama has well-rooted democratic traditions dating
back to independence from Spain in 1821. Panama adopted constitutions in 1903, 1946, and 1972. These have been
amended to fit changing times, and major revisions were made in 1983. All citizens 18 years of age and above are
required to vote in elections. Despite Panama’s democratic traditions, the military has been heavily involved in
politics since the 1930s and controlled government from 1968 to 1989. Panama officially had no army after granting
the United States defense powers in 1903, but it has maintained a military police force called the National Police
(1903-1953), the National Guard (1953-1983), the Panama Defense Forces (1983-1989), and the Public Forces (1990-
). By the late 1940s, the commander of the police, José Antonio Remón, effectively selected and removed
presidents, and in 1952 Remón himself became president. Only after he was assassinated in 1955 did the police
pull back from active involvement in government.
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO
Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second
Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president
is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez
(since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President
Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice
presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999 (next
to be held NA May 2004) election results: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya
Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37% note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic
Change, MORENA, PLN, PS Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (71 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held
NA May 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA
3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2, PRC 1, MORENA 1 note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a
plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of
a proportion-based formula Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges
appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal
International organization Member
CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Education is compulsory for 6 years and is provided
free by the government through the university level. The government spent 17.6 percent of its budget on education
in 1998. Wealthier families usually send their children to the numerous private schools in the cities. In 1995,
361,900 elementary and 216,200 high school students were enrolled in the country. School attendance by elementary-age
children is nearly universal. Panama has one of the highest literacy rates in the region, 97 percent.
Military branches: an amendment to the Constitution
abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian
National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 775,966 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 530,916 (2001 est.)
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