Official Name: |
Republic of Panama |
Capital: |
Panama City |
Nationality: |
Panamanian |
Language: |
Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians are bilingual |
Currency: |
Balboa. The American Dollar is the legal tender. |
Type of State: |
Republic |
Political Division: |
Nine provinces and four indigenous reservation |
National Day: |
Independence Day, 3 November (1903) |
Religion: |
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% |
Area: |
75,517 Km 2 |
Time Zone: |
GMT -5 hours |
Location: |
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica |
Population: |
3.36 million (2009 est.)
|
Population Growth Rate: |
1.503% (2009 est.)
|
Ethnic Groups: |
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%, and others |
Constitutional President: |
Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal (since July 1st, 2009) |