3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
Religions
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages
French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
Exports
bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing
External Debt
$14,200,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) note: the US dollar is the legal currency
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.000%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Area
2,344,858 km sq
75,420 km sq
Coastline
37 km
2,490 km
Climate
tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October)
tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
