FACTS

Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Area (only Total: 78,200 sq 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 hillsv

Population: 3,309,679 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: constitutional democracy

Capital (Name): Panama

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-5

Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)

National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November