GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Panama.
Capital
Panama.
Geography
According to neovideogames, Panama is the link between North and South America. The country is bordered by Colombia to the east, Costa Rica to the west, the Caribbean to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It extends from east to west for 772 km, is S-shaped and between 60 and 177 km wide. The mountainous landscape descends on both coasts to river-rich plains. Wooded slopes and a large savannah with rolling hills (El Interior), which lies between the Peninsula de Azuero and the central mountain range, are further aspects of the varied landscape. The Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean are connected by the 65 km long Panama Canal, which was built through the isthmus between the Cordillera de Talamanca and the Cordillera de San Blas. Only about a quarter of the country is populated.
Government
Presidential republic since 1972. Constitution from 1983, last change in 2004. Unicameral parliament with 71 members. Independent from Spain since 1821, accession to the Republic of Greater Colombia; 1903 Separation from Greater Colombia.
Head of state
Juan Carlos Varela, since July 2014.
Electricity
110 V, 60 Hz. American plugs. Adapters are necessary.
Time zone
Eastern Standard Time: CET -6
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Spanish. English is the lingua franca. Indian languages are also spoken.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Panama duty-free:
500 cigarettes or 500 g of tobacco;
3 bottles of alcoholic beverages;
Perfume and eau de toilette for personal use in opened bottles;
Gifts and personal items up to a total value of 2000 BA.
Import regulations
Medicines should be imported with a doctor’s certificate.
Prohibited imports
Plants (fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc.), meat and animal products, drugs of all kinds.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Punctuality and business cards are expected.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Economy
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 77.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Cámara de Comercio, Industrias y Agricultura de Panamá (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
Avenida Cuba y Peru, Calle 34, Apartado 0816-07517, PA-Panamá 1.
Tel: (0207) 34 00.
Internet: www.panacamara.com
Business contacts
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 77.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Cámara de Comercio, Industrias y Agricultura de Panamá (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
Avenida Cuba y Peru, Calle 34, Apartado 0816-07517, PA-Panamá 1.
Tel: (0207) 34 00.
Internet: www.panacamara.com
COMMUNICATION
Phone
The country code is 00507. Direct dialing service.
Cellphone
GSM 850, GSM 1900. The mobile network operator is Cable & Wireless (Internet: www.cwpanama.com). The reception / transmission range is good. Roaming contracts exist.
Internet
There are internet cafes in the larger cities. Over 300 INTERNET PARA TODOS hotspots (Internet for everyone) enable free WiFi access to the Internet. You can see where the hotspots are on internetparatodos.gob.pa.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes 5-10 days, the larger post offices accept poste restante items and offer an express service for mail deliveries. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Sat 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Panama is a duty-free shopping paradise for luxury items from all over the world, which are around a third cheaper here. Popular souvenirs are leather items, patterned pearl necklaces of the Guaymí Indians, national costumes, wood carvings, ceramics, paper mache items, macrame and mahogany bowls.
Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Panama in particular has a lot to offer for night owls. The offer ranges from night clubs and casinos to folk dances, belly dancing and classical theater. All major hotels and numerous clubs have shows and dances. In the other larger cities, music, dance, casinos and cinemas provide entertainment.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Numerous new hotels are currently being built. The projects are not limited to Panamá but also include the interior as well as mountain and coastal regions. The offer ranges from hotels of international standard to inexpensive country inns and new holiday hotels to very simple hotels. A 10% tax is added to all hotel bills.
Camping
There are no official campsites, but you can camp on some beaches and sections of the Pan-American Highway.
CULTURE
Religion
85% Catholics, 15% Protestants. Immigrants from the Caribbean islands are Methodists, Baptists, or of the Episcopal Church. Muslim minorities.
Social rules of conduct
Manners: Shake hands to greet you. The local culture is a vibrant mix of Spanish and American lifestyle.
Clothing: Casual clothing is appropriate.
Tipping: 10% is common in hotels and restaurants; Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Tropical climate. Higher humidity on the coasts than inland. High temperatures all year round, cooler in the mountains. The rainy season lasts from May to November. The amount of precipitation on the Pacific coast is twice as high as on the Caribbean. Best travel time from mid-December to March.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +507 Area (sqkm) 75517 Population 3,990406 Population density (per sqkm) 48 Population in 2016 Member of the EU No main emergency number 911