Panama

Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (Spanish: República de Panamá; pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe panaˈma]), is the southernmost country of both Central America and, in turn, North America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The capital is Panama City.

Panama is an international business center, and although it is only the fourth largest economy in Central America, after Guatemala, Costa Rica and El Salvador,^[3] it is the fastest growing economy and the largest per capita consumer in Central America.

Contents

• 1 Etymology
• 2 History
  • 2.1 Pre-Columbian period
  • 2.2 Conquest era
  • 2.3 Separation from Spain
  • 2.4 Post-colonial Panama
  • 2.5 Post-invasion era
• 3 Politics
  • 3.1 Provinces and regions
• 4 Geography
  • 4.1 Waterways
  • 4.2 Harbors
  • 4.3 Climate
• 5 Demographics
• 6 Culture
• 7 Economy
  • 7.1 Economic sectors
  • 7.2 Currency
  • 7.3 International trade
  • 7.4 Tourism
• 8 See also
• 9 Further reading
• 10 References
• 11 External links
  • 11.1 Economy
  • 11.2 Government and diplomacy
  • 11.3 General information
  • 11.4 Travel
  • 11.5 News media

  Republic of Panama República de Panamá (Spanish)
  Flag Coat of arms
  Motto: "Pro Mundi Beneficio" (Latin) "For the Benefit of the World"
  Anthem: Himno Nacional de Panamá (Spanish)
  Capital (and largest city)		Panama City 8°58′N 79°32′W / 8.967°N 79.533°W / 8.967; -79.533
  Official languages		Spanish
  Ethnic groups		58.1% Mestizo 14% Black and Mulatto 6.7% Amerindian 8.6% White 5.5% Asian 7.1% other (2000) [1]
  Demonym		Panamanian
  Government		Constitutional Democracy
  -	President	Ricardo Martinelli
  -	Vice President	Juan Carlos Varela
  Independence
  -	from Spain	28 November 1821
  -	from Colombia	3 November 1903
  Area
  -	Total	75,517 km2 (118th) 29,157 sq mi
  -	Water (%)	2.9
  Population
  -	July 2008 estimate	3,309,679 (133rd)
  -	May 2000 census	2,839,177
  -	Density	43/km2 (156th) 111/sq mi
  GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
  -	Total	$38.604 billion[2]
  -	Per capita	$12,600[2]
  GDP (nominal)		2009 estimate
  -	Total	$25.051 billion[2]
  -	Per capita	$7,230[2]
  Gini (2002)		48.5
  HDI (2007)		▲ 0.832 (high) (58th)
  Currency		Balboa, U.S. dollar (PAB, USD)
  Time zone		(UTC-5)
  Internet TLD		.pa
  Calling code		507