Panama Country Facts
Posted by admin | Under Panama Facts
Capital
Panama City
Exchange rate, currency Balboa
1 Balboa (B) = 1 US$ (fixed rate).
Administrative divisions
9 provinces: Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama and Veraguas. 2 territories: Ngobe-Bugle and San Blas.
Population
2,808,268 growth rate 1.34% (July 2000). Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%.
Languages
Spanish (official), English 14%, many Panamanians are bilingual.
Religions
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%.
Climate
Tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season from May to January, short dry season from January to May.
Geography
75,990 sq. km. Interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills.
National Anthem
Listen to the National Anthem of Panama
Public holidays
January 1 - New Years Day.
January 9 - Mourning Day.
February 15 - Carnival.
March/April - Good Friday.
May 1 - Labor Day.
November 3 - Independence Day (1903 from Colombia).
November 4 - Flag Day.
November 10 - The rebellion of the Saints.
November 28 - Independence from Spain.
December 8 - Mother’s Day.
December 25 - Christmas Day.
Newspapers
La Prensa |El Siglo |Crítica en Línea |La Estrella
Natural resources
Copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower.
Industries
Construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling.
Agriculture products
Bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables, livestock, shrimp.
GDP
US$ 21 billion, real growth rate 4.4%, per capita US$ 7,600 (1999 est.).
Exports
US$ 4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1999). Bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee.
Source: Alfa Travel Guide
