Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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Background:
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With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by or on 31 December 1999.
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Location:
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Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
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Geographic coordinates:
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9 00 N, 80 00 W
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Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean
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Area:
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total: 78,200 sq km
land: 75,990 sq km
water: 2,210 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than South Carolina
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Land boundaries:
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total: 555 km
border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
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Coastline:
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2,490 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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Climate:
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tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
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Terrain:
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interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
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Natural resources:
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copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
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Land use:
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arable land: 7.36%
permanent crops: 1.98%
other: 90.66% (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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320 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
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Environment - current issues:
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water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
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Geography - note:
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strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
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Population:
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3,000,463 (July 2004 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 30.2% (male 461,427; female 443,932)
15-64 years: 63.6% (male 967,490; female 940,344)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 88,611; female 98,659) (2004 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 25.9 years
male: 25.6 years
female: 26.2 years (2004 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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1.31% (2004 est.)
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Birth rate:
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20.36 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Death rate:
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6.39 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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-0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 20.95 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 23.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 72.14 years
male: 69.82 years
female: 74.56 years (2004 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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2.49 children born/woman (2004 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.9% (2003 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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16,000 (2003 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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less than 500 (2003 est.)
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Nationality:
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noun: Panamanian(s)
adjective: Panamanian
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Ethnic groups:
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mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
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Languages:
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Spanish (official), English 14%
note: many Panamanians bilingual
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 93.2%
female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Panama
conventional short form: Panama
local long form: Republica de Panama
local short form: Panama
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Government type:
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constitutional democracy
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Capital:
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Panama
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Administrative divisions:
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9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas
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Independence:
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3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
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Constitution:
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11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994
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Legal system:
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based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal and compulsory
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held NA May 2009)
election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%
note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change, MORENA, PLN, PS
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (78 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 2 May 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, Democratic Change 2, PP 2, PLN 1, other 5
note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal
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Political parties and leaders:
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Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Civic Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo]; National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES]; Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
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International organization participation:
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FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ALFARO Estripeaut
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407
FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT
embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City 5
mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
telephone: [507] 207-7000
FAX: [507] 227-1964
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Flag description:
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divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
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Economy - overview:
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Panama's dollarised economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-03. The government has been backing public works programs, tax reforms, new regional trade agreements, and development of tourism in order to stimulate growth. Unemployment remains at an unacceptably high level.
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $18.78 billion (2003 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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4.1% (2003 est.)
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2003 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 8.3%
industry: 14.7%
services: 77.1% (2003 est.)
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Investment (gross fixed):
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24.8% of GDP (2003)
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Population below poverty line:
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37% (1999 est.)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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48.5 (1997)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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1.4% (2003 est.)
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Labor force:
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1.19 million
note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2003 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)
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Unemployment rate:
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13.8% (2003 est.)
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Budget:
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revenues: $2.995 billion
expenditures: $3.421 billion, including capital expenditures of $471 million (2003 est.)
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Public debt:
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73.3% of GDP (2003)
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Agriculture - products:
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bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
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Industries:
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construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
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Industrial production growth rate:
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7% (2003 est.)
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Electricity - production:
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4.039 billion kWh (2001)
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Electricity - consumption:
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3.681 billion kWh (2001)
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Electricity - exports:
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118 million kWh (2001)
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Electricity - imports:
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43 million kWh (2001)
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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52,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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NA (2001)
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Oil - imports:
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NA (2001)
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Current account balance:
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$-408 million (2003)
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Exports:
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$5.237 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999)
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Exports - partners:
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US 13.9%, Nigeria 9.8%, Germany 8.1%, South Korea 7.8%, Peru 5.1%, Costa Rica 4.9%, Belgium 4.8%, Japan 4.5% (2003)
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Imports:
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$6.622 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals (1999)
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Imports - partners:
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Japan 33.2%, US 11.4%, China 9.1%, South Korea 7.7%, Singapore 7.1% (2003)
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Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:
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$1.011 billion (2003)
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Debt - external:
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$8.834 billion (2003 est.)
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$197.1 million (1995)
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Currency:
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balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
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Currency code:
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PAB; USD
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Exchange rates:
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balboas per US dollar - 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Railways:
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total: 355 km
standard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2003)
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Highways:
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total: 11,400 km
paved: 3,944 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,456 km (1999)
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Waterways:
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800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2004)
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Ports and harbors:
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Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte
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Merchant marine:
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total: 4,833 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,960,929 GRT/183,615,337 DWT
by type: barge carrier 3, bulk 1,434, cargo 819, chemical tanker 388, combination bulk 73, combination ore/oil 18, container 613, liquefied gas 190, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large load carrier 15, passenger 36, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 514, rail car carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 281, roll on/roll off 125, short-sea/passenger 37, specialized tanker 36, vehicle carrier 242
foreign-owned: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 2, Argentina 7, Australia 11, Austria 1, Bahamas 3, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 5, Belize 4, Brazil 4, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 2, Canada 6, Cayman Islands 1, Chile 13, China 286, Colombia 14, Croatia 3, Cuba 17, Cyprus 6, Denmark 4, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 16, Equatorial Guinea 1, France 7, Germany 89, Greece 549, Haiti 1, Honduras 2, Hong Kong 288, India 22, Indonesia 44, Iran 1, Ireland 2, Israel 4, Italy 7, Japan 1630, Jordan 8, Kenya 1, South Korea 349, Kuwait 1, Latvia 11, Liberia 3, Lithuania 2, Luxembourg 1, Malaysia 12, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 3, Mexico 7, Monaco 29, Netherlands 14, Netherlands Antilles 1, New Zealand 1, Nigeria 6, Norway 86, Oman 1, Pakistan 1, Peru 17, Philippines 41, Poland 12, Portugal 6, Puerto Rico 3, Romania 9, Russia 8, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Saudi Arabia 6, Singapore 105, South Africa 3, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1, Sweden 4, Switzerland 93, Syria 1, Taiwan 348, Thailand 14, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 12, Ukraine 2, United Kingdom 51, United States 99, Venezuela 4
registered in other countries: 85 (2003 est.)
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Airports:
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103 (2003 est.)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 44
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 61
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 49 (2004 est.)
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This page was last updated on 27 January, 2005
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