GEOGRAPHY

Area: 78,200 square kilometers (30,193 square miles); slightly smaller than South Carolina. Panama occupies the southeastern end of the isthmus forming the land bridge between North and South America.

Cities: Capital--Panama City (1.1 million). Other cities--Colon (198,551), David (138,241).

Terrain: Mountainous (highest elevation Cerro Volcan, 3,475 meters--11,468 feet); coastline (Pacific and Atlantic) -- 2,857 kilometers (1,786 miles).

Climate: Tropical, with average daily rainfall 28 millimeters (1 inch) in winter (April-December).

Interesting fact of local geography: Because of the reclining "S" shape of the Isthmus of Panama the sun rises from the Pacific and sets in the Atlantic.

PEOPLE

Nationality: Noun and adjective -- Panamanian(s).

Population (2008 estimate): 3,310,000.

Annual growth rate: 1.5 percent.

Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed African, Amerindian and European ancestry) 70 percent, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14 percent, Caucasian 10 percent, Amerindian 6 percent.  Origins: 36.5percent African, 37.6 percent indigenous, and 25.9 percent Caucasian.

Religions: Roman Catholic 84 percent, Protestant 15 percent, other 1 percent. 

Languages: Spanish (official); 14 percent speak English as their native tongue; various indigenous languages. Many Panamanians have a working knowledge of English and many professional college-educated Panamanians in Panama City are bilingual.

Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--95 percent for primary school-age children, 60 percent for secondary. 

Literacy--92.6 percent overall: urban 94 percent, rural 62 percent.

Health: Infant mortality rate (2008) -- 13/1,000. Life expectancy--77 years.

Work force (March 2007, 1.4 million): Commerce (wholesale and retail)--17.9  percent;  agriculture, cattle, hunting, silviculture--16.1 percent; construction--9.8 percent;  industries (manufactures) -- 9.2 percent;  transportation, storage, communications--6.9 percent;  private home domestic services--5.8%; public and defense administration--5.6 percent; hotels and restaurants--5.4 percent;  other community and social activities, teaching--4.9 percent; real estate activities, business, and rentals--4.8 percent; social and health services--3.5 percent;  financial intermediation--2.0 percent.

GOVERNMENT

Type: Constitutional democracy.

Independence: November 3, 1903.

Constitution: October 11, 1972; amended 1983 and 1994 and reformed in 2004.