Capital: Panama
Currency: Balboa (PAB); US Dollar (USD)
Borders: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Panama lies at the foot of the Central American region. At its
western border it joins the South American nation of Colombia and in
the northeast it borders Costa Rica. To the north it faces the
Caribbean Sea and to the south the mighty Pacific Ocean. Panama is a
long, narrow territory with a total area measuring 78,200 sq km. The
coastline of Panama totals 2,490 km. The terrain is comprised of
central highland areas including the Sierra de Tabasara and a
low-lying, often narrow coastal plain. The highest point in Panama
is the active Volcan de Chiriqui at a height of 3,475m. Much of
Panama is covered in thick and dense tropical rainforest, providing
a home for a wide variety of mammals and birds. Lake Bayano is the
largest expanse of inland water in Panama but the most famous bit of
water is the man-made Panama Canal which cuts through the country
creating a shipping lane from the west of South America to the
Caribbean. The offshore islands of Rey, Coiba and the Archipelago of
Perlas on the pacific side are also considered a part of Panama.
The capital city is Panama City, home to around
700,500 people. Panama City is the administrative, economic and
cultural heart of Panama. Other important cities include Colon,
Limon and David. Panama is a nation of Spanish speakers, due largely
to the fact that it was once colonized by the Spanish, gaining full
independence in 1903. The national unit of currency is the Balboa.
The Panama Canal is an important economical factor of this country
and the many container ports here export a wealth of products.
Panama is naturally efficient with 69.11% of its electricity
produced by hydro power. 20.8% of Panama's workforce work within the
agriculture sector, producing bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane
and vegetables. The industries of Panama are construction,
petroleum, brewing and sugar milling.
The main rainy season is between May and January with a short dry
season that lasts from January to May. The higher areas of elevation
experience cooler year-round temperatures. |
