Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates: 9° 0' N, 80° 0' W
Coastline km: 2,490 km km
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
Elevation: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural hazards: occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Currency: balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Population: 3,191,319 (July 2006 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
Capital: Panama
Divisions: 9 provinces and 1 territory*: Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), and Veraguas