Life in Panama -General Information About Panama and Services in Panama

General Information

• Capital: Panama City (pop. 700,000)
• Government: Constitutional Democracy
• Languages: Spanish (official) and English is very common and many Panamanians are bilingual
• Currency: United States Dollar, although Panama does make their own coins called Balboa and they are the same size as American coins and are used interchangeably.
• Population: 3 191 319 (July 2006)
• Religion: 85% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant and 5% Islamic
• Education: Based on US model, 92% literacy rate
• Major Industries: Banking, construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, tourism, agriculture, and sugar milling.
• Electricity: 120 volts AC

Area: 75, 517 square kilometers (47, 198 square miles) Panama is part of the Northern Hemisphere.
Latitude: Panama is located between 7°11' North and 9°39' north'
Longitude:between 77° 10' West y 83° 03' East Panama is located in the inter-tropical zone next to the equator.
Limits: to the north, Caribbean Sea; to east, the Republic of Colombia; to the south, the Pacific Ocean and to the west, Costa Rica.

Climate
The Climate in Panama is a hundred per cent tropical with temperatures that oscillate between 26° and 30° Centigrade throughout the year. Panama has two well defined seasons, one dry season with shiny sun from December to April and a rainy season from May to November.
You can also a pleasant life in Panama by enjoying temperatures between 12° and 15° centigrade on the high lands of the Province of Chiriqui, near the border of Costa Rica. These temperatures can be also found in El Valle de Anton and Cerro Azul, one hour and a half and 40 minutes from Panama City respectively.
Panama is located to the south of the Hurricanes Zone, and usually, life in Panama is not affected by these storms.

Surface, coasts and islands
The Isthmus of Panama has a surface of 75,517 Km2 and it has more than 1000 miles of coastal area and 1000 islands on the Pacific side and 800 miles of coastal area and 600 islands on the Atlantic side. The country is abundant in marine life. In Panama you can see many different aquatic species.

Currency and Banks
The official currency of Panama is the Balboa (B/.) that has the same value as the US Dollar, which is of legal use in all the country. The Balboa is divided in 100 cents. 50 cents are equivalent to half a dollar; 25 cents are equivalent to a quarter of a dollar, 10 cents to a tenthof a dollar, and 5 cents to a dime. The cost of life in Panama is comparatively low to other countries.

Banks in Panama are open to the public from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, from Monday to Friday and some of them until 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 m.d. They are spread all over Panama City and some banks have branches in the countryside. Credit cards: Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club are accepted in most of the stores.

Public Services
Panama has a complete network of electricity that covers the whole country, making life in Panama easier for everyone. A sophisticated telecommunications system that includes among others, cellular telephony, telex, internet and cable are available in most parts of the entire Republic. Water is absolutely potable, described as one of the purest in the world and it can be drunk directly from the faucet.

Transportation
For transfers from Tocumen International Airport to Panama City, a tourist transportation service can be used that offers the following rates: Special: $20.00 per person with a maximum of 2 passengers, and a collective one of $24.00 maximum 3 passengers. The local transportation has a bus network and taxis that circulate all over Panama City. The rates vary depending on the zone you wish to go and do not exceed $2.00 (Panama DownTown). Outside Panama City (the suburbs) it could cost $10.00. The international transportation is excellent due to the fact that Panama receives the main air destinations of the region.

Allowed speed
As follows you will find the speed limits for transit in the country

For residential areas, the speed limit is 25 mph
For avenues, the speed limit is 40 mph
Highway 55 mph
Freeway 65 mph
SEAT belts are obligatory

History
Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama separated from Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With a backing from United States, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone).

The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With U.S.A. help, Dictator Manuel Noriega was deposed in 1989, allowing residents to finally lead a democratic life in Panama.

The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases was transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which is to begin in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15.

Life in Panama is tranquil and peaceful. Life in Panama is relaxing and for those who prefer a more adventurous life, in Panama you will find various activities just right for you.