Panama Guide
Panama – country information
| Country name | Panama |
| Official name | Republic of Panama |
| Capital | City of Panama |
| continent | North America |
| Area | 75,517 km |
| Population | 3 405 813 (2010) |
| Foundation of a state | 3. 11. 1903 |
| The highest mountains | Chiriqui (Vol. Baru) 3478 m |
| Longest rivers | Santa Maria 150 km |
| State system | a pluralistic presidential republic with a unicameral parliament |
| The biggest cities | Panama 525,000 (agglomeration 800,000) (capital), San Miguelito 300,000, Colón 105,000 |
| Official language | Spanish |
| Ethnicity/National Composition | mestizo 62%, blacks and mulattoes 20%, whites 9%, Indians 7%, Asians 2% |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 4.5%, Muslim 4.5%, other 6% |
| Currency | 1 balboa (B) = 100 cents |
| gross domestic product (GDP) | US$15,449 (2012) |
| Average life expectancy of the population | 75.22 let (2006) |
| Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 10.5%, mining and industry 13.5%, construction 5.5%, services 70.5% |
Panama – Neighboring States
| State | Capital | Area | Populace |
| Colombia | Bogota | 1,138,910 km | 47 506 000 |
| Costa Rica | Saint Joseph | 51 100 km | 4 667 096 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Panama lies on the isthmus of the same name and connects Central and South America, but its strategic location is due to the existence of the Panama Canal.
Panama – a state on the Isthmus of Panama between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, common borders in the west – with Costa Rica, in the east – with Colombia.
The capital is Panama. Currency – Balboa. The official language is Spanish. Religion – Catholicism.
“Panama” in the language of the Indians – “a place where there are a lot of fish.” This is one of the places in the world that must be visited by a tourist.
The climate is maritime tropical (high humidity, cloudiness). January-May is the dry season, May-January is the rainy season.
The attention of tourists to the country is constantly growing. Still free from tourist crowds, Panama shines with its natural gifts. Most travelers to North America choose Costa Rica or Guatemala, so it’s hard to get over the feeling in Panama that you’re being exposed to a secret that the rest of the world has yet to learn. However, while Panama is still off the beaten path, it is likely that this will change in the coming years.
Resorts and attractions of Panama
At the intersection of the southern and northern American continents, a small but very successful Panama is freely located. She was lucky in everything. And the nature here is excellent and the economic conditions are favorable, and there is no need to complain about the tourist heritage. Tourism is especially developed here, and tours to Panama have been topping the list of the most popular in their niche for several years.
Pleasure without limits. Panama is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. Due to the favorable location of the country, you will be able to visit both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean within a few hours.
In Panama there are unlimited opportunities for surfing, diving, fishing.
The popular resort of Bocas del Toro is also located here. This is the best beach and diving.
Interesting Facts
The Spaniards discovered Panama in 1501. In 1502, Columbus explored its coast when he sailed to the New World for the fourth time.
In recent times, protests and social protests against neoliberal reforms have become a noticeable trend in Panamanian life. In 2009, presidential and parliamentary elections were held, in which Ricardo Martinelli, candidate of the liberal Democratic Choice Party, was elected as the new president.
Country data
Location: Central America
Time zone: CET – 6 (during summer time: CET – 7)
Total area: 74,420 km²
Land area: 74,340 km²
Water area: 1,080 km²
Length of the state border: 555 km
including:
Costa Rica: 330 km
Colombia: 225 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Capital: Panama City
Provinces: 13
Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Embera-Wounaan, Herrera, Kuna Yala, Los Santos, Ngobe-Bugle, Panama, Panama Oeste, Veraguas
Electric current: 110 V / 60 Hz
Telephone code: 00 507 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Volcano Baru 3,475 m
Population
Population: approx. 3.6 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.3% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 48
Life expectancy: 76 (male), 81 (female)
Official language: Spanish
Religions:
- 85% Roman Catholic
- 15% Protestants
Climate
Panama is located in a tropical climate zone. The temperatures are consistently high all year round and averaged around 25-30 ° C in the flatlands. It is a little cooler in the mountain regions.
The rainy season lasts from May to October, with short showers almost every day. The humidity is very high all year round.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Balboa (PAB)
Classification: 1 Balboa = 100 Centésimos
ATMs: There are numerous ATMs in the larger cities. However, many devices are often out of order.
International credit cards: These are accepted by major hotels and businesses in Panama City.
Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts. Larger amounts of cash must be declared upon entry.
The US dollar is a valid currency in Panama. The Balboa is linked 1 to 1 to this. Therefore, you should only carry the US currency with you as a foreign currency.
Outside of Panama City, cash payments are common.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 500 cigarettes or 500 g tobacco
- 2 liters of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
The import of animal and plant products of all kinds is prohibited.
Travel advice
The border region to Colombia should be avoided when traveling. There are frequent kidnappings and attacks by armed groups.
Behavioral advice
Original travel documents and valuables should be deposited in the hotel safe. Always carry copies of your identification documents with you. The entry stamp should be visible on a copy.
Do not show jewelry, valuables and money in public, as thefts and robberies are more common in big cities.
Economy
Agriculture mainly serves to supply the population. Some exotic fruits are intended for export.
A special source of income are the fees from the use of the Panama Canal.
Industries: building materials, light industry, tourism, cement production / p>
Natural resources: copper, mahanoni wood, hydropower
Land use:
- Usable land: 7%
- Grain cultivation: 2%
- Pasture area: 20%
- Forests: 44%
- other: 27%
Plants
The dense tropical rainforest in Panama reaches up to an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. There it is replaced by a mixture of deciduous trees and a large number of conifers.
Savannas and grasslands are mainly to be found in the lower regions.
Animals
The dense forests are still home to many species of wild animals that could develop here undisturbed.
You can find monkeys, alligators, jaguars, crocodiles and pumas here. But a large number of birds are also at home in the mountain regions.
