Panama

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage and soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
People
- Ethnic groups
- Language
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Finance, trade, and services
  - Finance
  - Trade
  - Services
- Labor and taxation
- Transportation and telecommunications
  - Panama Canal and coastal ports
  - Land and air transportation
  - Telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
- Local government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
Cultural life
- Cultural milieu
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- Exploration, conquest, and settlement
- Secession from Spain and union with Gran Colombia
- Transcontinental railroad and canal projects
- The Republic of Panama
  - Early years
  - World War II and mid-century intrigues
  - Rule by Torrijos and Noriega
  - Invasion of Panama
  - Transitions to democracy and sovereignty
- Treaty relations with the United States

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images, Videos & Interactives

Map highlighting Panama in Central America, with surrounding countries labeled including Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. Major bodies of water such as the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean are shown, along with nearby countries in the region. Panama City is marked as the capital.

Map of Panama showing national boundaries with Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east, major cities including Panama City, Colon, and David, and surrounding bodies of water such as the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. An inset locator map highlights Panama's position in Central America.

Navigating the Panama Canal: A captain's perspective

Map of Panama highlighting its physical features, including major mountain ranges, volcanoes, national parks, and bodies of water such as the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Panama, and the Panama Canal. Neighboring countries Costa Rica and Colombia are labeled, and an inset locator map shows Panama's position in Central America.

Black-and-white photo of Teddy Roosevelt over Panama Canal backdrop, flanked by Panama and U.S. flags with “or” and a question mark between them.

Panama: Religious affiliation

Panama: Age breakdown

Panama: Urban-rural

At a Glance

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Related Questions

Panama

country, Central America

Also known as: República de Panamá, Republic of Panama

Written by

Burton L. GordonAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 2, 2026 •History

Panama, country of Central America located on the Isthmus of Panama, the narrow bridge of land that connects North and South America. Embracing the isthmus and more than 1,600 islands off its Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the tropical nation is renowned as the site of the Panama Canal, which cuts through its midsection. It is equally well known for its natural beauty, for its diverse plant and animal life, including hundreds of bird and tree...

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