Panama – Education
The education system in the 1990’s was characterized by contrasts between poor and rich, city and country. With less than 10% illiterate (1995), however, Panama is one of the states in Central America that has had the greatest success in eradicating illiteracy.
Schooling is public and free. The 11-year compulsory schooling for 6-15-year-olds is fulfilled in the six-year primary school, which is attended by all, as well as in the similarly six-year secondary school, which is completed by 68% (1995). The country’s three universities (1996) are all located in the capital.
OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Panama
CAPITAL CITY: Panama City
POPULATION: 3,190,000 (Source: COUNTRYaah)
AREA: 75,517 km²
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE (S): Spanish, Creole-English, few Native American languages
RELIGION: Catholics 80%, Protestants 15% (of which Pentecostal Christians 8%), others 5%
COIN: balboa
CURRENCY CODE: ON B
ENGLISH NAME: Panama
INDEPENDENCE: 1903
POPULATION COMPOSITION: mestizer 68%, blacks and mulberries 14%, whites 10%, Indians 6%, others 2%
GDP PER residents: $ 6854 (2007)
LIFE EXPECTANCY: men 73 years, women 78 years (2007)
INDEX OF LIVING CONDITIONS, HDI: 0.809
INDEX OF LIVING CONDITIONS, POSITION: 58
INTERNET DOMAIN NAME: .on
Panama is a Republic of Central America. With its location on the narrow isthmus that connects North and South America, and divided by the Panama Canal, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the country is often called “a divided country that unites the world”. Economically and politically, the country is characterized by the Panama Canal Zone, which until the year 2000 was under the control of an American company with representatives from Panama.
- AbbreviationFinder.org: Find two-letter abbreviation for each independent country and territory, such as PM which stands for Panama.
Panama – Constitution
The Republic’s Constitution is from 1972, but thoroughly revised in 1983. Legislative power lies with a unicameral parliament with 78 members (amended 2009 to 71), elected by universal suffrage every five years. Elections take place in rural areas on a majority basis, while proportional representation elections are used in urban areas.
The executive power lies with the president, who along with two vice presidents (from 2009 only one) is elected for five years by direct election; there is a duty to vote. The President is assisted by a Council of Ministers. The president appoints governors to the nine provinces. Check youremailverifier for Panama social condition facts.
Panama – Economy
Since the 1950’s, Panama’s economy has been characterized by extensive public regulation. It has given rise to weak competitiveness and major trade balance problems, which could not be offset by revenues from shipping through the Panama Canal, the Colón free trade zone, convenience flagging and the financial sector, which is characterized by full banking secrecy. The external debt has grown, and since the 1980’s, Panama has frequently had to request debt restructuring agreements and financial support from, among others, World Bank and IMF. In 1994, the government launched a reform program that, among other things, involves deregulation of the labor market, anti-monopoly legislation and the privatization of a number of public companies. Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1996 has resulted in a significant liberalization of foreign trade. After a stagnation in 2000-03, the economy is growing again, and it has been decided to expand the channel to double capacity. In addition to balance of payments problems, the country has high unemployment (10% in 2005) and a very unequal income distribution. Inflation, on the other hand, is low, which is not least due to the fact that the dollar is a valid means of payment in the country due to the historically very close ties with the USA. Panama’s own currency, the balboa, is issued only as a currency and is pegged to the dollar. which is not least due to the fact that the dollar, due to the historically very close ties to the USA, is a valid means of payment in the country. Panama’s own currency, the balboa, is issued only as a currency and is pegged to the dollar. which is not least due to the fact that the dollar, due to the historically very close ties to the USA, is a valid means of payment in the country. Panama’s own currency, the balboa, is issued only as a currency and is pegged to the dollar.
The main trading partners are Japan, the USA and China. In 2005, Denmark’s exports to Panama amounted to DKK 141 million. DKK, while imports from there were 353 mill. kr.
