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Country Fact File : Panama
Volunteer Work with Leatherback Turtles in Panama
While Panama is known mostly for its canal, the country's natural attractions offer an irresistible lure to adventurous visitors. It is a proud nation that offers incredible wildlife adventures, that respects its indigenous people and that celebrates its Spanish heritage with frequent festivals. The gulf of Panama is home to no less than 800 sandy, tropical islands, and the country offers some of the finest birding, wildlife watching, diving and snorkeling to be had for many thousands of miles. The country remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, making individual experiences all the more special. If you want to swim in the Caribbean Sea and in the Pacific Ocean both in one day, then Panama is the place to do it!
| Location | Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica |
| Area | 78,200 sq km |
| Border Countries | Colombia, Costa Rica |
| Climate | Tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) |
| Terrain | Interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills |
| Highest Point | Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m |
| Natural Hazards | Occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area |
| Environmental Issues | Water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources |
| Population | 2,882,329 (July 2002 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups | Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6% |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% |
| Languages | Spanish (official), English 14% |
| Type of Government | constitutional democracy |
| Capital | Panama |
| Independence Day | 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) |
| Chief of State/ Head of Government |
Chief of State: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government |
| Currency | balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD) |
| Time | GMT -5 |
Did you know?
Panama City was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast
‘Panama’ means: abundance of fish, butterflies and trees.
More bird specie live in Panama than in North America
More than 29% of Panama’s land mass is National Parks, Forest Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Useful Numbers & Web Addresses
International dialing code: +507
Police tel: 104
Ambulance tel: 2699778
British Embassy: Apartado 889, Zona 1, 4th and 5th Floors, Torre Banco Sur, Calle 53 Este, Panama 1. Tel (2) 690 866
Embassy in the UK: 48 Park Street, London W1Y 3PD. Tel +44 (0) 20 7493 4646
01727 250250
Duration and Costs
| Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | £845 |
| 3 Weeks | £960 |
| 4 Weeks | £1095 |
| 5 Weeks | £1180 |
| 6 Weeks | £1285 |
| 7 Weeks | £1390 |
| 8 Weeks | £1495 |
| 9 Weeks | £1600 |
| 10 Weeks | £1705 |
| Group Size |
|---|
| 2-12, plus project staff |
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