Official name: Republic of Panama
Also known as: República de Panamá (Spanish)
Capital: Panama City Total Area: 78,200 km² (30,193 mi²) Approximate population: 4,337,768Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Languages: Spanish, English, Amerindian languages Religions: Protestant, Roman Catholic, Sunni Muslim Currency: Balboa (PAB), United States dollar (USD) Organizations: United Nations
Border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km.
Maritime boundaries: Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean
Coastline: 2,490 km Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, sing. – provincia):
Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama and Veraguas. 5 comarcas: Nobe Bugle, Kuna Yala, Wagandí, Madugandí y Enbera Wonan. Natural resources: Copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower.
Note: Strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean.