Panama

By: John Karrasch

Form of Government

• Panama has a constitutional democracy.

President

• Panama’s president is Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since September 1 2004)

Panama’s Military

• Panama passed an amendment that abolished the military and formed the Panamanian Public Forces (security-like)

Transportation

• There are 116 airports, 2 heliports, 355km of railways, 11,643km of roadways, and 800km of waterways in Panama.

Languages Spoken

• Spanish is the official language spoken but with many Panamanians being bilingual 14% can also speak English.

Geographical location

• Panama is found in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica.

Geographical Make-up

• Panama’s interior is mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills.

Population

• Panama’s population is estimated at around 3,242,173.

Major Imports

• capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals

Major Exports

• bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing

Agricultural Goods

• bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp

Currency

• Panama’s main currency are the Balboa and U.S. Dollar

Religion

• Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Major National Holidays

• Independence Day, 3 November

Major International Disputes

• Organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama.

Sources

• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html