Country Guide • Panama
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 | 77,046km² (29,748mile²) |
| Population | 2,960,500 |
| Continent | Central America/North America |
| Population per mile² | 98 |
| Capital City | Panama City |
| Religions | 84% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant. 5% Muslims |
| Language | Spanish (official), English 14% |
| Government | Constitutional Republic |
| Currency | Balboa And 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 and 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°C to 32°C |
| 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 | Embassy Details |
Information Only
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