9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and one territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas.
Population:
2,845,647 (July 2001 est.)
Currency:
balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Languages:
Spanish (official), English 14%br>i>note
Elevation:
highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Climate:
tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, high oil prices, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000. The government plans public works programs, tax reforms, and new regional trade agreements in order to stimulate growth in 2001.
Industry:
construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
Ethnicgroups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Yellow fever:
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is recommended for all travellers going to Chepo, Darién and San Blas.
Malaria:
Low malaria risk—predominantly due to P. vivax—occurs throughout the year in three provinces: Bocas del Toro in the west and Darién and San Blas in the east. In the other provinces there is no or negligible risk of transmission. Chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum has been reported in Darién and San Blas provinces.
