Panama 22997 225905070 2008-07-15T23:14:03Z AlexiusHoratius 2306142 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/76.112.208.153|76.112.208.153]] ([[User talk:76.112.208.153|talk]]) to last version by Pigman {{otheruses4|the nation in Central America}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = ''República de Panamá''{{spaces|2}}<small>{{es icon}}</small> |conventional_long_name = Republic of Panama |common_name = Panamá |image_flag = Flag_of_Panama.svg |image_coat = Escudo armas Panama.png |image_map = LocationPanama.svg |national_motto = ''"Pro Mundi Beneficio"''{{spaces|2}}<small>{{la icon}}<br/>"For the Benefit of the World"</small> |national_anthem = ''[[Himno Istmeño]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>{{es icon}}</small> |official_languages = [[Spanish language|Spanish]] |demonym = [[Demographics of Panama|Panamanian]] |capital = [[Panama City, Panama|Panama City]] |latd=8 |latm=58 |latNS=N |longd=79 |longm=32 |longEW=W |largest_city = capital |government_type = [[Constitutional Democracy]] |leader_title1 = [[President of Panama|President]] |leader_name1 = [[Martin Torrijos]] |leader_title2 = [[Vice President of Panama|First Vice President]] |leader_name2 = [[Samuel Lewis Navarro|Samuel Lewis]] |leader_title3 = [[Vice President of Panama|Second Vice President]] |leader_name3 = [[Rubén Arosemena]] |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |established_event1 = from [[Spain]] |established_event2 = from [[Colombia]] |established_date1 = [[28 November]] [[1821]] |established_date2 = [[3 November]] [[1903]] |area_rank = 118th |area_magnitude = 1 E8 |area_km2 = 75,517 <!--UN data--> |area_sq_mi = 29,157 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |percent_water = 2.9 |population_estimate = 3,320,000 <!--UN WPP--> |population_estimate_rank = 133rd |population_estimate_year = Dec 2006 |population_census = 2,839,177 |population_census_year = May 2000 |population_density_km2 = 43 |population_density_sq_mi = 111 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 156th |GDP_PPP = $31.411 billion <!-- According to the List by the International Monetary Fund --> |GDP_PPP_rank = 103rd <!-- According to the List by the International Monetary Fund --> |GDP_PPP_year = 2006 |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $9,000 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 83rd |HDI = {{increase}} 0.812 |HDI_rank = 62nd |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |Gini = 48.5 |Gini_year = 2002 |currency = [[Panamanian balboa|Balboa]], [[U.S. dollar]]<br/> |currency_code = PAB, USD |country_code = |time_zone = |utc_offset = -5 |time_zone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = -5 |cctld = [[.pa]] |calling_code = 507 }} '''Panama''', officially the '''Republic of Panama''' ({{lang-es|República de Panamá}}; {{IPA-es|reˈpuβlika ðe panaˈma}}), is the southernmost country of [[Central America]]. Situated on an [[isthmus]], some categorize it as a [[transcontinental nation]] connecting the [[North America|north]] and [[South America|south]] part of [[Americas|America]]. It borders [[Costa Rica]] to the north-west, [[Colombia]] to the south-east, the [[Caribbean Sea]] to the north and the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the south. It is an international business center and is also a transit country. Although Panama is also the 3rd largest economy in Central America, after [[Guatemala]] and [[Costa Rica]], it has the largest expenditure on resource consumption, making the country the largest consumer in Central America.<ref>www.ilri.org/contentman/documentos/Sector%20Cárnico%20CA.pdf </ref> == History == {{main|History of Panama|Politics of Panama}} === Pre-Columbian period === [[Pre-Columbian]] heritage of native populations whose presence stretched back over 11,000 years.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The earliest traces of these indigenous peoples include fluted projectile points. This changed into significant populations that are best known through the spectacular burials of the [[Sitio Conte|Conte site]] (dating to c. AD 500-900) and the polychrome pottery of the [[Coclé]] style. The monumental monolithic sculptures at the [[Barriles]] ([[Chiriquí Province|Chiriqui]]) site were another important clue of the ancient isthmian cultures. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Panama was widely settled by [[Chibchan]], [[Chocoan]], and [[Cueva people|Cueva]] peoples, among whom the largest group were the [[Cueva people|Cueva]]. There is no accurate knowledge of size of the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] population of the isthmus at the time of the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|European conquest]]. Estimates range as high as two million people, but more recent studies place that number closer to 200,000.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Archaeological finds as well as testimonials by early European explorers describe diverse native isthmian groups exhibiting cultural variety and suggesting people already conditioned by regular regional routes of commerce. === Independence === On [[3 November]] [[1903]], [[Separation of Panama from Colombia|Panama broke off from Colombia]]. The US gunboat [[USS Nashville (PG-7)|Nashville]] prevented the Colombian military from sailing to Panama. An assault through the dense Panamanian jungle was impossible. The President of the Municipal Council, [[Demetrio H. Brid]], the highest authority at the time, became its ''de facto'' president, appointing a ''[[Provisional Government]]'' on [[4 November]] to run the affairs of the new republic. The United States, as the first country to recognize the new Republic of Panama, sent troops to protect its economic interests. The 1904 Constituent Assembly elected Dr. [[Manuel Amador Guerrero]], a prominent member of the Conservative political party, as the first constitutional President of the Republic of Panama. [[Image:chagres.jpg|thumb|left|The Chagres river]] In November 1903, [[Phillipe Bunau-Varilla]]—a French citizen who was not authorized to sign any treaties on behalf of Panama without the review of the Panamanians—unilaterally signed the [[Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty]] which granted rights to the [[United States]] to build and administer indefinitely the [[Panama Canal]], which was opened in 1914. This treaty became a contentious diplomatic issue between the two countries, reaching a boiling point on [[Martyrs' Day (Panama)|Martyr's Day]] ([[9 January]] [[1964]]). The issues were resolved with the signing of the [[Torrijos-Carter Treaties]] in 1977 returning the former Canal Zone territories to Panama. === Military dictators === The original intent of the founding fathers was to bring peace and harmony between the two major political parties (Conservatives and Liberals). The Panamanian government went through periods of political instability and corruption, however, and at various times in its history, the mandate of an elected president terminated prematurely. In 1968, a [[coup]] toppled the government of the recently elected President [[Arnulfo Arias Madrid]]. While never holding the position of President himself, General [[Omar Torrijos]] eventually became the [[de facto]] leader of Panama. As a military [[dictator]], he was the leading power in the governing military [[military dictatorship|junta]] and later became an autocratic strong man. Torrijos maintained his position of power until his death in an airplane accident in 1981. After Torrijos's death, several military strong men followed him as Panama's leader. Commander [[Florencio Flores Aguilar]] followed Torrijos. Colonel [[Rubén Darío Paredes]] followed Aguilar. Eventually, by 1983, power was concentrated in the hands of General [[Manuel Antonio Noriega]]. [[Manuel Noriega]] came up through the ranks after serving in the [[Chiriquí province]] and in the [[city]] of [[Puerto Armuelles]] for a time. He was a former head of Panama's secret police and was an ex-informant of the [[CIA]]. But Noriega's implication in [[drug trafficking]] by the [[United States]] resulted in difficult relations by the end of the 1980s. === United States invasion of Panama === {{main|United States invasion of Panama}} [[Image:Panama clashes 1989.JPEG|thumb|right|Aftermath of urban warfare during the U.S. invasion of Panama]] On [[20 December]] [[1989]], twenty-seven thousand U.S. personnel [[United States invasion of Panama|invaded Panama]] in order to remove [[Manuel Noriega]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2002/MOUTYates.htm|title=Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama City, December 1989|author=Lawrence A. Yates|publisher=Combat Studies Institute|accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref> A few hours before the invasion, in a ceremony that took place inside a U.S. military base in the former [[Panama Canal Zone]], [[Guillermo Endara]] was sworn in as the new President of Panama. The invasion occurred ten years before the Panama Canal administration was to be turned over to Panamanian authorities, according to the timetable set up by the [[Torrijos-Carter Treaties]]. During the fighting, between one thousand<ref>John Lindsay-Poland (2003). Emperors in the Jungle: The Hidden History of the U.S. in Panama. Duke University Press. ISBN 0-8223-3098-9, p. 118. </ref> and four thousand Panamanians,<ref>Craige, Betty Jean (1996). American Patriotism in a Global Society. SUNY Press. ISBN 0-7914-2959-8, p. 187 </ref><ref>[http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4078.htm "The Panama Deception" Part I<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> mostly military, were killed. Noriega surrendered to the American [[military]] shortly after, and was taken to [[Florida]] to be formally extradited and charged by [[U.S.]] [[Federal government of the United States|federal]] authorities on drug and racketeering charges. He became eligible for [[parole]] on [[September 9]], [[2007]], but remained in custody while his lawyers fought an extradition request from France. Critics have pointed out that many of Noriega's former allies remain in power in Panama. === Post-Invasion === Under the [[Torrijos-Carter Treaties]], the [[United States]] turned over all canal-related lands to Panama on [[31 December]] [[1999]]. Panama also gained control of canal-related buildings and infrastructure as well as full administration of the [[Panama canal|canal]]. The people of Panama have already approved the widening of the canal which, after completion, will allow for [[post-Panamax]] vessels to travel through it, increasing the number of ships that currently use the canal. == Politics == {{main|Politics of Panama}} Panama's politics takes place in a framework of a [[presidential system|presidential]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[President of Panama]] is both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]], and of a [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the [[government]] and the [[National Assembly of Panama|National Assembly]]. The [[judiciary]] is independent of the executive and the legislature. All National elections are universal and mandatory to all citizens 18 years and older. == Provinces and regions == [[Image:Countries-Panama-provinces-2005-10-18-en.png|300px|thumb|The nine provinces and three provincial-level ''comarcas'' of Panama]] {{main|Provinces and regions of Panama|List of cities in Panama}} == Geography == {{main|Geography of Panama}} Panama is located in [[Central America]], bordering both the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]], between [[Colombia]] and [[Costa Rica]]. Its location on the [[Isthmus of Panama]] is strategic. By 1999, Panama controlled the [[Panama Canal]] that links the North [[Atlantic Ocean]] via the Caribbean Sea with the North Pacific Ocean. The dominant feature of the country's landform is the central spine of mountains and hills that forms the continental divide. The divide does not form part of the great mountain chains of North America, and only near the Colombian border are there highlands related to the [[Andes|Andean]] system of South America. The spine that forms the divide is the highly eroded arch of an uplift from the sea bottom, in which peaks were formed by volcanic intrusions. [[Image:Ancon Hill in Panama 01.jpg|thumb|Ancon Hill in Panama]] The mountain range of the divide is called the [[Cordillera de Talamanca]] near the Costa Rican border. Farther east it becomes the [[Serranía de Tabasará]], and the portion of it closer to the lower saddle of the isthmus, where the canal is located, is often called the Sierra de Veraguas. As a whole, the range between Costa Rica and the canal is generally referred to by Panamanian geographers as the [[Cordillera Central, Costa Rica|Cordillera Central]]. The highest point in the country is the [[Volcán Barú]] (formerly known as the Volcán de Chiriquí), which rises to 3475 meters (11401 ft.). A nearly impenetrable jungle forms the [[Darien Gap]] between Panama and Colombia. It creates a break in the [[Pan-American Highway]], which otherwise forms a complete road from [[Alaska]] to [[Patagonia]]. == Economy == {{main|Economy of Panama}} [[Image:Exclusa Miraflores Canal de Panama Panorama.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A [[Panamax]] ship in transit through the Miraflores locks, [[Panama Canal]]]] [[Image:Traditional Panamanian Building.jpg|thumb|Traditional Afro-Panamanian building]] According to the [[CIA World Factbook]], Panama has an [[unemployment]] rate of 7.2% and according to the [[United Nations]],<ref>[http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/40/178.html By Gustavo Gonzalez, Mixed Social Progress<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> the [[poverty]] rate is of 24.2% as of 2006, comparable to that of wealthier nations such as [[Argentina]].<ref>[http://www.antena-sin.com/NoticiasSin/Details.asp?id_article=782 Noticias SIN : Panamá en camino de reducir pobreza extrema pese a desigualdades<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, the [[First World]] infrastructure and high standards of living shows Panama's strong and thriving economic growth. Panama's economy is mainly service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, tourism, trading and private [[industry|industries]] because of its key geographic location. The handover of the canal and military installations by the United States has given rise to new construction projects. The [[Martín Torrijos]] administration has undertaken controversial structural reforms, such as a fiscal reform and a very difficult [[Social security|Social Security]] Reform.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Furthermore, a referendum regarding the building of a third set of locks for the Panama Canal was approved overwhelmingly (though with low voter turnout) on [[22 October]] [[2006]]. The official estimate of the building of the third set of locks is US$5.25 billion. The Panamanian currency is the [[Panamanian balboa|balboa]], [[Fixed exchange rate|fixed]] at parity with the [[United States dollar]]. In practice, however, the country is [[Dollarization|dollarized]]; Panama mints its own coinage but uses US dollars for all its paper currency. Panama was the first of the three countries in [[Latin America]] to have dollarized their economies, later followed by [[Ecuador]] and [[El Salvador]]. === Globalization === [[Image:Ciudad de Panamá.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Panama City skyline]] The high levels of Panamanian trade are in large part from the [[Colón Free Trade Zone]], the largest free trade zone in the Western Hemisphere. Last year the zone accounted for 92% of Panama's exports and 64% of its imports, according to an analysis of figures from the Colon zone management and estimates of Panama's trade by the [[United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean]] (ECLAC). Panama's economy is also very much supported by the trade and exportation of coffee. === Inflation === According to the Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean ([[ECLAC]], or [[CEPAL]] by its more-commonly used Spanish acronym), Panama's inflation as measured by weight [[Consumer Price Index|CPI]] was 2.0 percent in 2006.<ref>{{PDFlink|[http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/2/27542/Anexo_estadistico.pdf]|95.9&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 98250 bytes -->}}</ref> Panama has traditionally experienced low inflation. === Real estate === Panama City is currently experiencing a real estate boom. Tourists and retirees are arriving in greater quantities and consequently helping the local real estate market. {{Fact|date=February 2008}} Apart from the existing demand, future developments will also be helped by such factors as the planned expansion of the [[Panama Canal]]. === Bilateral Investment Treaty with the U.S. === The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between the governments of the United States and Panama was signed on October 27, 1982. The treaty protects U.S. investment and assists Panama in its efforts to develop its economy by creating conditions more favorable for U.S. private investment and thereby strengthening the development of its private sector. The BIT with Panama was the first such treaty signed by the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere.<ref>[http://tcc.export.gov/Trade_Agreements/Bilateral_Investment_Treaties/index.asp List of BITs currently in effect.]</ref> The importance of Panama to the U.S. stems from the Panama Canal which was built by the U.S. during the period of 1904-1914.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} Previously, if ships wanted to pass through the Americas, they would have to go all the way around the most southern tip of South America, the [[Tierra del Fuego]], and through the [[Drake Passage]]. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans directly at the narrowest point in Panama{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. When previously a ship going from New York to San Francisco would have to travel for 20,900 kilometers (13,000 miles), now that travel time would be reduced to 8370 km (5200 mi). The canal is of economic importance since it provides millions of dollars from toll revenue{{Fact|date=December 2007}} as well as a right to include and exclude any other nation or company from using it. The United States had complete monopoly over the Panama Canal for 85 years. However, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in 1977 began the process of returning the canal to the Panamanian government in 1999 as long as they agreed to the neutrality of the canal, as well as allowing the U.S. to return at any time. === Proposed Free Trade Agreement with the United States === A [[Panama - United States Trade Promotion Agreement|Trade Promotion Agreement]] between the United States and Panama was signed by both governments in 2007, but neither country has yet approved or implemented the Agreement.<ref>[http://www.ustr.gov/Trade_Agreements/Bilateral/Panama_FTA/Section_Index.html U.S. Trade Representative's page on Panama TPA.]</ref> While the U.S. Congress was initially favorably disposed to the Panama pact,<ref>[http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news.asp News Release by Democratic Leadership of U.S. House of Representatives of July 2, 2007.]</ref> the election of the anti-American [[Pedro Miguel González Pinzón|Pedro González]], and his possible link with to the assassination of US soldier [[Zak Hernández]], to the presidency of the Panamanian legislature on September 1, 2007 has halted progress of the pact in that body. == Demographics == {{main|Demographics of Panama}} [[Image:Kuna Woman sewing.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kuna (people)|Kuna]] woman sewing]] According to the [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]], Panama has a population of 3,242,173. The majority of the population, 70%, is [[mestizo]]. The rest is 14% Amerindian and mixed [[West Indian]], 10% [[White Latin American|white]] and 6% [[Amerindian]]. The Amerindian population includes seven indigenous peoples, the [[Emberá]], [[Wounaan]], [[Guaymí]], [[Buglé]], [[Kuna (people)|Kuna]], [[Naso (people)|Naso]] and [[Bribri]]. More than half the population lives in the [[Panama City]]&ndash;[[Colón, Panama|Colón]] metropolitan corridor. The culture, customs, and language of the Panamanians are predominantly Caribbean and Spanish. [[Spanish language|Spanish]] is the official and dominant language. About eight percent of the population speak a [[Creole language|creole]], mostly in Panama City and in the islands off the northeast coast.<ref>Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), (2005) [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Pa Languages of Panama]. ''Ethnologue: Languages of the World'', Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version. Retrieved on: [[April 6]]. [[2008]].</ref> [[English language|English]] is spoken widely on the Caribbean coast and by many in business and professional fields. The overwhelming majority of Panamanians is [[Roman Catholic]], accounting for almost 75% of the population. Although the Constitution recognizes Catholicism as the religion of the great majority, Panama has no official religion. Minority religions in Panama include [[Islam in Panama|Islam]] (0.3), the [[Bahá'í Faith]] (0.1%), [[Buddhism]] (at least 0.5%), Greek Orthodox (0.1%), [[Judaism]] (0.4%), and [[Hinduism]] (0.3%). The Jewish community in Panama, with over 10,000 members, is by far the biggest in the region (including Central America and the Caribbean). Jewish immigration began in the late 19th century, and at present there are synagogues in Panama City, as well as two Jewish schools. Within Latin America, Panama has one of the largest Jewish communities in proportion to its population, surpassed only by [[Uruguay]], [[Argentina]], Brazil, and Mexico. Panama is also the first country in Latin America to have a Jewish president, [[Eric Arturo Delvalle]]. Panama's communities of Muslims, East Asians, and South Asians, are also among the largest. [[Image:Colon Panama.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Colón City, Panama]] Panama City hosts a [[Bahá'í House of Worship]], one of only eight in the world. Completed in 1972, it is perched on a high hill facing the canal, and is constructed of local mud laid in a pattern reminiscent of Native American fabric designs. Panama, because of its historical reliance on commerce, is above all a melting pot. This is shown, for instance, by its considerable population of [[overseas Chinese|Chinese origin]]. Many [[Ethnic Chinese in Panama|Chinese immigrated to Panama]] from southern China to help build the Panama Railroad in the 19th century; their descendants number around 50,000. Starting in the 1970s, a further 80,000 have immigrated from other parts of [[mainland China]] as well.<ref name="Jackson">{{cite magazine|title=Panama's Chinese community celebrates a birthday, meets new challenges|last=Jackson|first=Eric|volume=10|issue=9|date=May 2004|accessdate=2007-11-07|url=http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_10/issue_09/community_01.html|journal=The Panama News}}</ref><ref name="GIO">{{cite web|url=http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/panama/ch_pa01.htm#3|title=President Chen's State Visit to Panama|publisher=Government Information Office, Republic of China|date=October 2003|accessdate=2007-11-07}}</ref> The country is also the smallest in Spanish-speaking Latin America in terms of population (est. 3,232,000), with Uruguay as the second smallest (est. 3,463,000). However, since Panama has a higher birth rate, it is likely that in the coming years its population will surpass Uruguay's.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} ==International rankings== {| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |- align=center | bgcolor="#ABCDEF"| '''Index (Year)'''||bgcolor="#ABCDEF"|'''Author / Editor / Source'''||bgcolor="#ABCDEF"| '''Year of<br />publication'''|| bgcolor="#ABCDEF"| '''Countries<br />sampled'''|| bgcolor="#ABCDEF"| '''World <br /> Ranking''' <small><sup>(1)</small></sup>||bgcolor="#ABCDEF"| '''Ranking<br />L.A.'''<small><sup>(2)</small></sup> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Environmental Performance Index| Environmental Performance (2008)]] || [[Yale University]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Environmental Performance Index 2008, Metrics for Costa Rica|url=http://epi.yale.edu/Panama|accessdate=2008-03-16 |author=Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University}}</ref> || <center>2008</center> || 149 || 32º || <center>5º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Democracy Index|Democracy (2006)]]|| [[The Economist]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The World in 2007, Democracy Index 2006|url=http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2007_v3.pdf |accessdate=2008-03-13 |author=The Economist Intelligence Unit}} </ref>|| <center>2007</center>|| 167 || 44º || <center>5º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Global Peace Index|Global Peace (2008)]] || [[The Economist]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Peace Index Rankings|url=http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/|accessdate=2008-05-28 |author=The Economist Intelligence Unit et. al. (Vision of Humanity website)}}</ref>|| <center>2008</center> || 140 || 48º || <center>4º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Index of Economic Freedom| Economic Freedom (2008)]] || [[The Wall Street Journal]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/countries.cfm|title = Index of Economic Freedom 2008| author =The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=2008-03-14}} </ref> || <center>2008</center> || 157 || 46º || <center>3º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Quality-of-life index| Quality-of-life (2005)]] || [[The Economist]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Pocket World in Figures 2008|url=http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf|accessdate=2008-03-13 |author=The Economist Intelligence Unit}} </ref> || <center>2007</center> || 111 || 47º || <center>7º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report| Travel and Tourism Competitiveness (2008)]] || [[World Economic Forum]]<ref>{{Cite web | authors = Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa, Editors | first = | year = 2008 | url=http://www.weforum.org/pdf/CGR08/Rankings.pdf |title = The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008| author = World Economic Forum|accessdate=2008-03-09 }} </ref> || <center>2008</center> || 130 || 50º || <center>3º</center><!--without Puerto Rico (does not belong to LA)--> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Worldwide Press Freedom Index|Press Freedom (2007)]] || [[Reporters Without Borders]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007|url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19387|accessdate=2008-03-13 |author=Reporters Without Borders}}</ref>|| <center>2007</center> || 169 || 54º || <center>5º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Global Competitiveness Report| Global Competitiviness (2007)]] || [[World Economic Forum]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.gcr.weforum.org/|title = The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008| author = World Economic Forum|accessdate=2008-03-09}}</ref> || <center>2007-08</center> || 131 || 59º || <center>3º</center><!--without Puerto Rico (does not belong to LA)--> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Human Development Index|Human Development (2005)]]|| [[UNDP|United Nations (UNDP)]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Table 1: Human development index |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/hdr_20072008_en_indicator_tables.pdf|accessdate=2008-03-11| author=UNPD Human Development Report 2007/2008}}</ref> || <center>2007-08</center> || 177 || 62º || <center>7º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Corruption Perceptions Index|Corruption Perception (2006)]]|| [[Transparency International]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Corruption Report 2007 |url=http://www.transparency.org/publications/gcr/download_gcr|accessdate=2008-03-11| author=Transparency International}}</ref>|| <center>2007</center> || 163 || 84º || <center>10º</center> |- | bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[List of countries by income equality|Income inequality (1989-2007)]]<small><sup>(3)</small></sup> || [[UNDP|United Nations (UNDP)]]<ref>{{cite web|title= Inequality in income or expenditure |url= http://hdrstats.undp.org/indicators/147.html |accessdate=2008-03-14| author=UNPD Human Development Report 2007/2008}} </ref>|| <center>2007-2008</center> || 126|| 115º || <center>14º</center> |} :<small><sup>'''(1)'''</sup> Worldwide ranking among countries evaluated.</small> :<small><sup>'''(2)'''</sup> Ranking among the 20 [[Latin American]] countries.</small> :<small><sup>'''(3)'''</sup> Because the [[Gini coefficient]] used for the ranking corresponds to different years depending of the country, and the underlying household surveys differ in method and in the type of data collected, the distribution data are not strictly comparable across countries. The ranking therefore is only a proxy for reference purposes, and though the source is the same, the sample is smaller than for the HDI</small> ==Notes and references == {{Reflist|2}} *[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html CIA World Factbook: Panama] *[http://www.acp.gob.pa/eng/plan/noticias/2006/07/25/pr214.html Panama Canal Expansion Takes Major Step Forward, RESOURCE CANADA BUSINESS NEWS NETWORK, 25-JUL-2006] *[http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2006/08/11/hoy/panorama/699663.html Cómo localizar a los grupos del ‘sí’ y ‘no’, 11 de agosto de 2006] == External links == {{sisterlinks}} '''Government and Diplomacy''' * Mellander, Gustavo A. (1971) ''The United States in Panamanian Politics:The Intriguing Formative Years.'' Danville, Ill.: Interstate Publishers, OCLC 138568 * Mellander, Gustavo A.; Nelly Maldonado Mellander (1999). Charles Edward Magoon: The Panama Years. Río Piedras, Puerto Rico: Editorial Plaza Mayor. ISBN 1563281554. OCLC 42970390. * {{es}} [http://www.presidencia.gob.pa The President of Panama] * {{es}} [http://www.defensoria.gob.pa/Transparencia/Default.asp List of Panamanian Government Agencies] * {{es}} [http://www.mire.gob.pa Ministry of External Relations] * [http://www.embassyofpanama.org Embassy of Panama in the U.S.] * [http://www.migracion.gob.pa/eng/index.php National Directorate of Immigration and Naturalization] '''Tourism and Travel''' * [https://www.visitpanama.com Official Site of the Panama Tourism Bureau] * [http://www.pancanal.com Official Site of the Panama Canal Authority] '''Economy and Business''' * {{es}} [http://www.mef.gob.pa Ministry of Economics and Finance] * {{es icon}} [http://www.panabolsa.com/ Bolsa de Valores (Panama Stock Exchange)] * {{es icon}} [http://www.conaval.gob.pa/index.asp?id=1 Comisión Nacional de Valores (Panama SEC)] * [http://www.panamcham.com/ American Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Panama] * [http://www.panamaforum.com/panama-banks/9372-panama-banks-complete-list.html List of all Panama Banks] '''Media and Discussion''' * {{es icon}} [http://www.prensa.com/ La Prensa] {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Provinces and regions of Panama}} {{Countries of Central America}} {{Countries of North America}} {{Countries of South America}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership |list = {{UN Security Council|state=collapsed}} {{Latin Union}} }} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Panama| ]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1903]] [[af:Panama]] [[ar:باناما]] [[an:Panamá]] [[frp:Panama]] [[ast:Panamá]] [[az:Panama]] [[zh-min-nan:Panamá]] [[be-x-old:Панама]] [[bs:Panama]] [[bg:Панама]] [[ca:Panamà]] [[ceb:Panama]] [[cs:Panama]] [[cy:Panama]] [[da:Panama]] [[de:Panama]] [[dv:ޕެނަމާ]] [[dsb:Panama]] [[et:Panama]] [[el:Παναμάς]] [[es:Panamá]] [[eo:Panamo]] [[eu:Panama]] [[fa:پاناما]] [[fr:Panamá]] [[fy:Panama]] [[ga:Panama]] [[gv:Yn Phanamaa]] [[gd:Panama]] [[gl:Panamá]] [[zh-classical:巴拿馬]] [[ko:파나마]] [[hr:Panama]] [[io:Panama]] [[ilo:Panama]] [[bpy:পানামা]] [[id:Panama]] [[os:Панамæ]] [[is:Panama]] [[it:Panamá]] [[he:פנמה]] [[jv:Panama]] [[pam:Panama]] [[kn:ಪನಾಮಾ]] [[ka:პანამა]] [[ks:पानामा]] [[kk:Панама]] [[kw:Panama]] [[sw:Panama]] [[ht:Panama (peyi)]] [[ku:Panama]] [[lad:Panama]] [[la:Panama]] [[lv:Panama]] [[lb:Panama]] [[lt:Panama]] [[lij:Panamá]] [[hu:Panama]] [[mk:Панама]] [[mr:पनामा]] [[ms:Panama]] [[nah:Panama]] [[nl:Panama (land)]] [[ne:पानामा]] [[new:पनामा]] [[ja:パナマ]] [[no:Panama]] [[nn:Panama]] [[nrm:Panama]] [[nov:Panama]] [[oc:Panamà (país)]] [[uz:Panama]] [[ps:پاناما]] [[pms:Panamà]] [[nds:Panama]] [[pl:Panama]] [[pt:Panamá]] [[crh:Panama]] [[ro:Panama]] [[qu:Panama]] [[ru:Панама]] [[sa:पानामा]] [[sq:Panama]] [[scn:Panamà]] [[simple:Panama]] [[sk:Panama (štát)]] [[sl:Panama]] [[sr:Панама]] [[sh:Panama]] [[fi:Panama]] [[sv:Panama]] [[tl:Panama]] [[ta:பனாமா]] [[th:ประเทศปานามา]] [[vi:Panama]] [[tg:Панама]] [[tr:Panama]] [[uk:Панама]] [[vec:Pànama]] [[vo:Panamän]] [[wo:Panamaa]] [[yo:Panama]] [[diq:Panama]] [[bat-smg:Panama]] [[zh:巴拿马]]