Panama

Panama, officially the Republic of Panama, is a country in Central America bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Its capital and largest city is Panama City. The country covers about 75,400 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 4.5 million. The population is diverse, with significant Mestizo, Afro-Panamanian, and Indigenous communities, including the Ngäbe-Buglé, Emberá, and Kuna peoples. Spanish is the official language; English is widely used in business and diplomacy. The Balboa is the official currency and is pegged to the U.S. dollar, which is also widely accepted.

Panama is a constitutional democracy with a president acting as head of state and government. The unicameral National Assembly has 71 deputies. Administratively, the country is divided into 10 provinces and several indigenous comarcas, such as Ngäbe-Buglé and Kuna Yala, which enjoy a degree of autonomous governance.

The Panamanian economy is service-oriented, anchored by the Panama Canal, which generates substantial toll revenues. The canal, opened in 1914 and managed by the Panama Canal Authority since 1999, underwent a major expansion completed in 2016. Other important sectors include logistics, banking, commerce, tourism, and shipping. Panama serves as a regional transportation and logistics hub and has a growing financial sector.

Historically, Panama gained independence from Spain in 1821, joined Gran Colombia briefly, and became an independent republic in 1903. Its culture reflects Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences in music, cuisine, and festivals.