The southernmost of the Central American nations, Panama is south of Costa Rica and north of Colombia. The Panama Canal bisects the isthmus at its narrowest and lowest point, allowing passage from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina. It is marked by a chain of mountains in the west, moderate hills in the interior, and a low range on the east coast. There are extensive forests in the fertile Caribbean area.
Country lead by President: Martín Torrijos Espino(2004)
Population
3,191,319 (growth rate: 1.6%); birth rate: 21.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 16.4/1000; life expectancy: 75.2; density per sq mi: 109
Land Area
29,340 sq mi (75,991 sq km); total area: 30,193 sq mi (78,200 sq km)
Monetary unit
balboa; U.S. dollar Language
Spanish (official), English 14%, many bilingual
Ethnicity mestizo 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Indian 6%
Religion mestizo 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Indian 6%
Transportation Railways: total: 355 km (2002). Highways: total: 11,400 km; paved: 3,944 km (including 30 km of expressways); unpaved: 7,456 km (1999). Waterways: 882 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal. Ports and harbors: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte. Airports: 103 (2002).
RIO SERENO