Country guide - Panama  

 
 

Introduction: Panama borders Colombia, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. The two oceans are linked by the man-made Panama Canal, cut into a gap between the Cordillera de Talamanca and the San Blas mountain range and stretching for over 65km (40 miles).

Official Name: Republic of Panama
Area: 77,046 Sq Km (29,748 Sq Miles)
Population: 2,960,500
Continent: Central America/North America
Density per square mile: 98
Capital City: Panama City
Religions: 84% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant. 5% Muslims.

Language: Spanish (official), English 14%
Government: Constitutional Republic

Currency: Balboa & US dollar
GDP: $17.3 billion
GDP Per Head: $6,000

Natural Resources: Copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower Occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Land Use: Arable Land 7%
Agriculture: Bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables livestock & shrimp.
Industry: Banking, brewing, construction, petroleum refining, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling

Tourism: The Panama Canal to the west of the city itself naturally lures many visitors. On average it takes 8 hours to complete. Panama offers some of the best birding, snorkeling and deep-sea fishing in the Americas. Panama City, the capital, is a mix of old Spain, modern America and the bazaar atmosphere of the East and with so many festivals you are sure to be caught up in one of them.

WARNING:You should not attempt to travel to Colombia by transiting the Isthmus of Darien as the border area is unsafe.

Natural Hazards: Occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Health Risks: Dengue fever, hantavirus (Los Santos province), malaria, rabies and yellow fever

Climate: Panama has a tropical climate with virtually no seasonal variation. The rainy season is from April - December and humidity is around 80% all year round. Average annual rainfall varies from 70 - 100 inches. Average temperature ranges in Colon are from 22 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius.

Time: GMT/UTC -5 hours
National Days: Independence Day - November 3

Visas: British nationals do not require visas to visit Panama. An initial stay of 30 days is granted upon entry. Extensions of stay can be obtained from the Panamanian immigration authorities.

British Embassy Details

 

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