Home

Panama vs. Colombia

Introduction

PanamaColombia
BackgroundExplored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, 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 US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. An ambitious expansion project to more than double the Canal's capacity - by allowing for more Canal transits and larger ships - was carried out between 2007 and 2016.

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006, and the AUC as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, illegal armed groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' to include a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to expand its presence into every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.

Geography

PanamaColombia
LocationCentral America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa RicaNorthern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates9 00 N, 80 00 W4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map referencesCentral America and the CaribbeanSouth America
Areatotal: 75,420 sq km

land: 74,340 sq km

water: 1,080 sq km
total: 1,138,910 sq km

land: 1,038,700 sq km

water: 100,210 sq km

note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than South Carolinaslightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundariestotal: 687 km

border countries (2): Colombia 339 km, Costa Rica 348 km
total: 6,672 km

border countries (5): Brazil 1790 km, Ecuador 708 km, Panama 339 km, Peru 1494 km, Venezuela 2341 km
Coastline2,490 km3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climatetropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terraininterior mostly steep, rugged mountains with dissected, upland plains; coastal plains with rolling hillsflat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)
Elevation extremeshighest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 360 m
highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 593 m
Natural resourcescopper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropowerpetroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
Land useagricultural land: 30.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 7.3% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 20.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.6% (2018 est.)

other: 25.9% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 37.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 34.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 54.4% (2018 est.)

other: 8.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land321 sq km (2012)10,900 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsoccasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

volcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace

Environment - current issueswater pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resourcesdeforestation resulting from timber exploitation in the jungles of the Amazon and the region of Chocó; illicit drug crops grown by peasants in the national parks; soil erosion; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - notestrategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Oceanonly South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
Total renewable water resources139.304 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)2.36 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionpopulation is concentrated towards the center of the country, particularly around the Canal, but a sizeable segment of the populace also lives in the far west around David; the eastern third of the country is sparsely inhabitedthe majority of people live in the north and west where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated

Demographics

PanamaColombia
Population3,928,646 (July 2021 est.)50,355,650 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 25.56% (male 508,131/female 487,205)

15-24 years: 16.59% (male 329,250/female 316,796)

25-54 years: 40.31% (male 794,662/female 774,905)

55-64 years: 8.54% (male 165,129/female 167,317)

65 years and over: 9.01% (male 160,516/female 190,171) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 23.27% (male 5,853,351/female 5,567,196)

15-24 years: 16.38% (male 4,098,421/female 3,939,870)

25-54 years: 42.04% (male 10,270,516/female 10,365,423)

55-64 years: 9.93% (male 2,307,705/female 2,566,173)

65 years and over: 8.39% (male 1,725,461/female 2,390,725) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 30.1 years

male: 29.6 years

female: 30.5 years (2020 est.)
total: 31.2 years

male: 30.2 years

female: 32.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate1.16% (2021 est.)1.04% (2021 est.)
Birth rate16.67 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)16.51 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.01 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 12.88 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 79.47 years

male: 76.66 years

female: 82.41 years (2021 est.)
total population: 76.91 years

male: 73.77 years

female: 80.23 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.21 children born/woman (2021 est.)2.14 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate1% (2020 est.)0.4% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Panamanian(s)

adjective: Panamanian
noun: Colombian(s)

adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groupsMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 65%, Native American 12.3% (Ngabe 7.6%, Kuna 2.4%, Embera 0.9%, Bugle 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2%), Black or African descent 9.2%, Mulatto 6.8%, White 6.7% (2010 est.)Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Amerindian 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS31,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children
180,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsRoman Catholic 48.6%, Evangelical 30.2%, other 4.7%, agnostic 0.2%, atheist 0.2%, none 12.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2018 est.)Roman Catholic 79%, Protestant 14% (includes Pentecostal 6%, mainline Protestant 2%, other 6%), other 2%, unspecified 5% (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<500 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children
3,000 (2020 est.)
LanguagesSpanish (official), indigenous languages (including Ngabere (or Guaymi), Buglere, Kuna, Embera, Wounaan, Naso (or Teribe), and Bri Bri), Panamanian English Creole (similar to Jamaican English Creole; a mixture of English and Spanish with elements of Ngabere; also known as Guari Guari and Colon Creole), English, Chinese (Yue and Hakka), Arabic, French Creole, other (Yiddish, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese); note - many Panamanians are bilingual

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Spanish (official)

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.4%

male: 96%

female: 94.9% (2018)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.1%

male: 94.9%

female: 95.3% (2018)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: intermediate (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Colombia; as of 19 July 2021, Columbia has reported a total of 4,639,466   cases of COVID-19 or 9117.93 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with 228.58 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 18 July 2021, 29.64% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 14 years (2016)
total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2018)
Education expenditures3.2% of GDP (2011)4.5% of GDP (2018)
Urbanizationurban population: 68.8% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 81.7% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 94.8% of population

total: 98.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 5.2% of population

total: 1.7% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 86.4% of population

total: 97.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 13.6% of population

total: 2.7% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 97.2% of population

rural: 72.4% of population

total: 89.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population

rural: 27.6% of population

total: 10.9% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.3% of population

rural: 80.1% of population

total: 94.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population

rural: 19.9% of population

total: 5.3% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population1.899 million PANAMA CITY (capital) (2021)11.167 million BOGOTA (capital), 4.034 million Medellin, 2.810 million Cali, 2.299 million Barranquilla, 1.349 million Bucaramanga, 1.071 million Cartagena (2021)
Maternal mortality rate52 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)83 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight3% (2019)3.7% (2015/16)
Health expenditures7.3% (2018)7.6% (2018)
Physicians density1.57 physicians/1,000 population (2016)2.19 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density2.3 beds/1,000 population (2016)1.7 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate22.7% (2016)22.3% (2016)
Demographic profile

Panama is a country of demographic and economic contrasts. It is in the midst of a demographic transition, characterized by steadily declining rates of fertility, mortality, and population growth, but disparities persist based on wealth, geography, and ethnicity. Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and dedicates substantial funding to social programs, yet poverty and inequality remain prevalent. The indigenous population accounts for a growing share of Panama's poor and extreme poor, while the non-indigenous rural poor have been more successful at rising out of poverty through rural-to-urban labor migration. The government's large expenditures on untargeted, indirect subsidies for water, electricity, and fuel have been ineffective, but its conditional cash transfer program has shown some promise in helping to decrease extreme poverty among the indigenous population.

Panama has expanded access to education and clean water, but the availability of sanitation and, to a lesser extent, electricity remains poor. The increase in secondary schooling - led by female enrollment - is spreading to rural and indigenous areas, which probably will help to alleviate poverty if educational quality and the availability of skilled jobs improve. Inadequate access to sanitation contributes to a high incidence of diarrhea in Panama's children, which is one of the main causes of Panama's elevated chronic malnutrition rate, especially among indigenous communities.

Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.

Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee outflows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; the United States and, until recently, Venezuela have been the main host countries. Emigration to Spain picked up in the 1990s because of its economic growth, but this flow has since diminished because of Spain's ailing economy and high unemployment. Colombia has been the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela's political and economic crisis since 2015, however, has created a reverse flow, consisting largely of Colombians returning home.

Forced displacement continues to be prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Even with the Colombian Government's December 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the risk of displacement remains as other rebel groups fill the void left by the FARC. Between 1985 and September 2017, nearly 7.6 million persons have been internally displaced, the highest total in the world. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world's highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades-although the number is likely to be much higher-including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.

Because of political violence and economic problems, Colombia received limited numbers of immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly from the Middle East, Europe, and Japan. More recently, growth in the oil, mining, and manufacturing sectors has attracted increased labor migration; the primary source countries are Venezuela, the US, Mexico, and Argentina. Colombia has also become a transit area for illegal migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean -- especially Haiti and Cuba -- who are en route to the US or Canada.

Contraceptive prevalence rate50.8% (2014/15)81% (2015/16)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 53.9

youth dependency ratio: 40.8

elderly dependency ratio: 13.1

potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 45.4

youth dependency ratio: 32.3

elderly dependency ratio: 13.2

potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.)

Government

PanamaColombia
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Panama

conventional short form: Panama

local long form: Republica de Panama

local short form: Panama

etymology: named after the capital city which was itself named after a former indigenous fishing village
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia

conventional short form: Colombia

local long form: Republica de Colombia

local short form: Colombia

etymology: the country is named after explorer Christopher COLUMBUS
Government typepresidential republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Panama City

geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: according to tradition, the name derives from a former fishing area near the present capital - an indigenous village and its adjacent beach - that were called "Panama" meaning "an abundance of fish"
name: Bogota

geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: originally referred to as "Bacata," meaning "enclosure outside of the farm fields," by the indigenous Muisca
Administrative divisions10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 4 indigenous regions* (comarcas); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Embera-Wounaan*, Guna Yala*, Herrera, Los Santos, Naso Tjer Di*, Ngobe-Bugle*, Panama, Panama Oeste, Veraguas32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain on 28 November 1821)20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holidayIndependence Day (Separation Day), 3 November (1903)Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest effective 11 October 1972

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly, by the Cabinet, or by the Supreme Court of Justice; passage requires approval by one of two procedures: 1) absolute majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and by absolute majority vote of the next elected Assembly in a single reading without textual modifications; 2) absolute majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings, followed by absolute majority vote of the next elected Assembly in each of three readings with textual modifications, and approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2004
history: several previous; latest promulgated 4 July 1991

amendments: proposed by the government, by Congress, by a constituent assembly, or by public petition; passage requires a majority vote by Congress in each of two consecutive sessions; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on citizen rights, guarantees, and duties also require approval in a referendum by over one half of voters and participation of over one fourth of citizens registered to vote; amended many times, last in 2020
Legal systemcivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justicecivil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen (since 1 July 2019); Vice President Jose Gabriel CARRIZO Jaen (since 1 July 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen (since 1 July 2019); Vice President Jose Gabriel CARRIZO Jaen (since 1 July 2019)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term; president eligible for a single non-consecutive term); election last held on 5 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024)

election results:
2019: Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen elected president; percent of vote - Laurentino CORTIZO Cohen (PRD) 33.3%, Romulo ROUX (CD) 31%, Ricardo LOMBANA (independent) 18.8%, Jose BLANDON (Panamenista Party) 10.8%, Ana Matilde GOMEZ Ruiloba (independent) 4.8%, other 1.3%

2014: Juan Carlos VARELA elected president; percent of vote - Juan Carlos VARELA (PP) 39.1%, Jose Domingo ARIAS (CD) 31.4%, Juan Carlos NAVARRO (PRD) 28.2%, other 1.3%
chief of state: President Ivan DUQUE Marquez (since 7 August 2018); Vice President Marta Lucia RAMIREZ Blanco (since 7 August 2018); the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Ivan DUQUE Marquez (since 7 August 2018); Vice President Marta Lucia RAMIREZ Blanco (since 7 August 2018)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 27 May 2018 with a runoff held on 17 June 2018 (next to be held in 2022); note - political reform in 2015 eliminated presidential reelection

election results: 2018: Ivan DUQUE Marquez elected president in second round; percent of vote - Ivan DUQUE Marquez (CD) 54%, Gustavo PETRO (Humane Colombia) 41.8%, other/blank/invalid 4.2%

2014: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (U Party) 51.0%, Oscar Ivan ZULUAGA (CD) 45.0%, other 4.0%
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; 45 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - populous towns and cities - by open list proportional representation vote and 26 directly elected in single-seat constituencies - outlying rural districts - by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 5 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 35, CD 18, Panamenista 8, MOLIRENA 5, independent 5; composition - men 55, women 16, percent of women 22.5%
description: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of:
Senate or Senado (108 seats; 100 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote, 2 members elected in a special nationwide constituency for indigenous communities, 5 members of the People's Alternative Revolutionary Force (FARC) political party for the 2018 and 2022 elections only as per the 2016 peace accord, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms)
Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (172 seats; 165 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote, 5 members of the FARC for the 2018 and 2022 elections only as per the 2016 peace accord, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up vice presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms)

elections:  
Senate - last held on 11 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2022)
Chamber of Representatives - last held on 11 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2022)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CD 19, CR 16, PC 15, PL 14, U Party 14, Green Alliance 10, PDA 5, other 9; composition - men 77, women 31, percent of women 28.7%
Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 35, CD 32, CR 30, U Party 25, PC 21, Green Alliance 9, other 13; composition - men 147, women 25, percent of women 14.5%; total Congress percent of women 20%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 magistrates and 9 alternates and divided into civil, criminal, administrative, and general business chambers)

judge selection and term of office: magistrates appointed by the president for staggered 10-year terms

subordinate courts: appellate courts or Tribunal Superior; Labor Supreme Courts; Court of Audit; circuit courts or Tribunal Circuital (2 each in 9 of the 10 provinces); municipal courts; electoral, family, maritime, and adolescent courts
highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 magistrates); Council of State (consists of 27 judges); Superior Judiciary Council (consists of 13 magistrates)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Supreme Court members from candidates submitted by the Superior Judiciary Council; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Constitutional Court magistrates - nominated by the president, by the Supreme Court, and elected by the Senate; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Council of State members appointed by the State Council plenary from lists nominated by the Superior Judiciary Council

subordinate courts: Superior Tribunals (appellate courts for each of the judicial districts); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first instance administrative courts
Political parties and leadersDemocratic Change or CD [Romulo ROUX]
Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Benicio ROBINSON]
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Francisco "Pancho" ALEMAN]
Panamenista Party [Jose Luis "Popi" VARELA Rodriguez] (formerly the Arnulfista Party)
Popular Party or PP [Juan Carlos ARANGO Reese] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC)
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Jorge Enrique ROBLEDO]
Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC [Angel ALIRIO Moreno] (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN)
Conservative Party or PC [Hernan ANDRADE]
Democratic Center Party or CD [Alvaro URIBE Velez]
Green Alliance [Claudia LOPEZ Hernandez]
Humane Colombia [Gustavo PETRO]
Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA]
People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC [Rodrigo LONDONO Echeverry]
Radical Change or CR [Rodrigo LARA Restrepo]
Social National Unity Party or U Party [Roy BARRERAS]

note: Colombia has numerous smaller political movements
International organization participationBCIE, CAN (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOBCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Juan Ricardo DE DIANOUS HENRIQUEZ (since 16 September 2019)

chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407

FAX: [1] (202) 483-8413

email address and website:
info@embassyofpanama.org

https://www.embassyofpanama.org/

consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington DC
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 17 September 2018)

chancery: 1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338

FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643

email address and website:
eestadosunidos@cancilleria.gov.co

https://www.colombiaemb.org/

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC

consulate(s): Boston, Chicago, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Charge d'Affairs Steward TUTTLE (since August 2020)

embassy: Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue, Clayton

mailing address: 9100 Panama City PL, Washington, DC 20521-9100

telephone: [507] 317-5000

FAX: [507] 317-5568 (2018)

email address and website:
Panama-ACS@state.gov

https://pa.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 19 September 2019)

embassy: Carrera 45, No. 24B-27, Bogota

mailing address: 3030 Bogota Place, Washington DC  20521-3030

telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000

FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600

email address and website:
ACSBogota@state.gov

https://co.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptiondivided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center; the blue and red colors are those of the main political parties (Conservatives and Liberals respectively) and the white denotes peace between them; the blue star stands for the civic virtues of purity and honesty, the red star signifies authority and lawthree horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity

note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
National anthemname: "Himno Istmeno" (Isthmus Hymn)

lyrics/music: Jeronimo DE LA OSSA/Santos A. JORGE

note: adopted 1925
name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)

lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI

note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ
International law organization participationaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdictionhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)harpy eagle; national colors: blue, white, redAndean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Colombia

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Economy

PanamaColombia
Economy - overview

Panama's dollar-based economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for more than three-quarters of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, logistics, banking, the Colon Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism and Panama is a center for offshore banking. Panama's transportation and logistics services sectors, along with infrastructure development projects, have boosted economic growth; however, public debt surpassed $37 billion in 2016 because of excessive government spending and public works projects. The US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement was approved by Congress and signed into law in October 2011, and entered into force in October 2012.

Future growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and was completed in 2016 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 10-15% of current GDP. The expansion project more than doubled the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate high-capacity vessels such as tankers and neopanamax vessels that are too large to traverse the existing canal. The US and China are the top users of the Canal.

Strong economic performance has not translated into broadly shared prosperity, as Panama has the second worst income distribution in Latin America. About one-fourth of the population lives in poverty; however, from 2006 to 2012 poverty was reduced by 10 percentage points.

Colombia heavily depends on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. Colombia is Latin America's fourth largest oil producer and the world's fourth largest coal producer, third largest coffee exporter, and second largest cut flowers exporter. Colombia's economic development is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation, in addition to dependence on primary commodities (goods that have little value-added from processing or labor inputs).

Colombia's economy slowed in 2017 because of falling world market prices for oil and lower domestic oil production due to insurgent attacks on pipeline infrastructure. Although real GDP growth averaged 4.7% during the past decade, it fell to an estimated 1.8% in 2017. Declining oil prices also have contributed to reduced government revenues. In 2016, oil revenue dropped below 4% of the federal budget and likely remained below 4% in 2017. A Western credit rating agency in December 2017 downgraded Colombia's sovereign credit rating to BBB-, because of weaker-than-expected growth and increasing external debt. Colombia has struggled to address local referendums against foreign investment, which have slowed its expansion, especially in the oil and mining sectors. Colombia's FDI declined by 3% to $10.2 billion between January and September 2017.

Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into effect in May 2012. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance-a regional trade block formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. The Colombian government took steps in 2017 to address several bilateral trade irritants with the US, including those on truck scrappage, distilled spirits, pharmaceuticals, ethanol imports, and labor rights. Colombia hopes to accede to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$133.587 billion (2019 est.)

$129.688 billion (2018 est.)

$125.07 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$741.099 billion (2019 est.)

$717.7 billion (2018 est.)

$700.091 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - real growth rate5.4% (2017 est.)

5% (2016 est.)

5.8% (2015 est.)
3.26% (2019 est.)

2.51% (2018 est.)

1.36% (2017 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$31,459 (2019 est.)

$31,049 (2018 est.)

$30,455 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$14,722 (2019 est.)

$14,452 (2018 est.)

$14,314 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 15.7% (2017 est.)

services: 82% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 7.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 30.8% (2017 est.)

services: 62.1% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line22.1% (2016 est.)35.7% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 38.9% (2014 est.)
lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 39.6% (2015 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)0.9% (2017 est.)

0.7% (2016 est.)
3.5% (2019 est.)

3.2% (2018 est.)

4.3% (2017 est.)
Labor force1.633 million (2017 est.)

note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
19.309 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 17%

industry: 18.6%

services: 64.4% (2009 est.)
agriculture: 17%

industry: 21%

services: 62% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate6.14% (2018 est.)

6% (2017 est.)
10.5% (2019 est.)

9.68% (2018 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index49.2 (2018 est.)

56.1 (2003)
50.4 (2018 est.)

53.5 (2014)
Budgetrevenues: 12.43 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 13.44 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 83.35 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 91.73 billion (2017 est.)
Industriesconstruction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar millingtextiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate6.3% (2017 est.)-2.2% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productssugar cane, bananas, rice, poultry, milk, plantains, pineapples, maize, beef, porksugar cane, milk, oil palm fruit, potatoes, rice, bananas, cassava leaves, plantains, poultry, maize
Exports$25.94 billion (2018 est.)

$24.7 billion (2017 est.)

note: includes the Colon Free Zone
$61.697 billion (2019 est.)

$60.151 billion (2018 est.)

$59.644 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, copper, bananas, ships, coal tar oil, packaged medicines (2019)crude petroleum, coal, refined petroleum, coffee, gold (2019)
Exports - partnersEcuador 20%, Guatemala 14%, China 8%, United States 6%, Netherlands 6% (2019)United States 31%, China 11%, Panama 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019)
Imports$28.978 billion (2018 est.)

$28.175 billion (2017 est.)

note: includes the Colon Free Zone
$87.072 billion (2019 est.)

$80.546 billion (2018 est.)

$76.136 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiesships, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, tanker ships, packaged medicines (2019)refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, corn (2019)
Imports - partnersChina 21%, United States 19%, Japan 16%, Colombia 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019)United States 27%, China 20%, Mexico 7%, Brazil 6% (2019)
Debt - external$101.393 billion (2019 est.)

$94.898 billion (2018 est.)
$135.644 billion (2019 est.)

$128.238 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesbalboas (PAB) per US dollar -

1 (2017 est.)

1 (2016 est.)

1 (2015 est.)

1 (2014 est.)

1 (2013 est.)
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -

3,457.93 (2020 est.)

3,416.5 (2019 est.)

3,147.43 (2018 est.)

2,001 (2014 est.)

2,001.1 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt37.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

37.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
49.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

49.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.703 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.878 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$47.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$46.18 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$3.036 billion (2017 est.)

-$3.16 billion (2016 est.)
-$13.748 billion (2019 est.)

-$13.118 billion (2018 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$66.801 billion (2019 est.)$323.255 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: BBB (2011)

Moody's rating: Baa1 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2020)
Fitch rating: BBB- (2020)

Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2017)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 66.6 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 92 (2020)

Trading score: 85.5 (2020)

Enforcement score: 49 (2020)
Overall score: 70.1 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 87 (2020)

Trading score: 62.7 (2020)

Enforcement score: 34.3 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues20.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 12.8%

male: 10.2%

female: 17.5% (2019 est.)
total: 20%

male: 15.9%

female: 25.4% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 45.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 10.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 42.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 41.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -44.2% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 68.2% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 14.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -19.7% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving30% of GDP (2019 est.)

29.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

31.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
15.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

16.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

16.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

PanamaColombia
Electricity - production10.6 billion kWh (2016 est.)74.92 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption8.708 billion kWh (2016 est.)68.25 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports139 million kWh (2015 est.)460 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports30 million kWh (2016 est.)378 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)863,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)726,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018)1.665 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)113.9 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)10.02 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption0 cu m (2017 est.)10.08 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)48.14 million cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity3.4 million kW (2016 est.)16.89 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels36% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)29% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants51% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)69% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources13% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production0 bbl/day (2015 est.)303,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption146,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)333,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports66 bbl/day (2015 est.)56,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports129,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)57,170 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 92% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 99.4% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019)
electrification - total population: 97% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 86% (2019)

Telecommunications

PanamaColombia
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 741,269

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19.32 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 7,012,306

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14.23 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 5,599,005

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 145.92 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 66,283,175

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134.47 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.pa.co
Internet userstotal: 2,199,433

percent of population: 57.87% (July 2018 est.)
total: 29,990,017

percent of population: 62.26% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

domestic and international facilities well-developed; steady increase in telecom revenue with effective competition; mobile connections account for 90% of connections; government-funded program to improve Internet infrastructure; connectivity through two submarine cables; launch of LTE services; Chinese company Huawei investment in bandwidth technologies; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 17 per 100 and rapid subscribership of mobile-cellular telephone 132 per 100 (2019)

international: country code - 507; landing points for the PAN-AM, ARCOS, SAC, AURORA, PCCS, PAC, and the MAYA-1 submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

Colombia's telecom infrastructure has improved through a government program of competition to upgrade services based on LTE and 5G, focusing on infrastructure in small urban centers and rural areas; national ICT Plan increased broadband and fiber connectivity; operators testing 5G and completed 20k terrestrial cable connecting 80% of the country; benefit due to access to commercial submarine cable (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 14 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 132 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed-line services; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations (2019)

international: country code - 57; landing points for the SAC, Maya-1, SAIT, ACROS, AMX-1, CFX-1, PCCS, Deep Blue Cable, Globe Net, PAN-AM, SAm-1 submarine cable systems providing links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 523,530

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.64 (2019 est.)
total: 6,949,852

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14.1 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediamultiple privately owned TV networks and a government-owned educational TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; more than 100 commercial radio stations (2019)combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2019)

Transportation

PanamaColombia
Railwaystotal: 77 km (2014)

standard gauge: 77 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)
total: 2,141 km (2015)

standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (2015)

narrow gauge: 1,991 km 0.914-m gauge (2015)
Waterways800 km (includes the 82-km Panama Canal that is being widened) (2011)24,725 km (18,300 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,488 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012)
Pipelines128 km oil (2013)4991 km gas, 6796 km oil, 3429 km refined products (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Balboa, Colon, Cristobal

container port(s) (TEUs): Balboa (2,894,654), Colon (4,379,477) (2019)
major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo
Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura

oil terminal(s): Covenas offshore terminal

container port(s) (TEUs): Buenaventura (1,121,267), Cartagena (2,995,031) (2019)

river port(s): Barranquilla (Rio Magdalena)

dry bulk cargo port(s): Puerto Bolivar (coal)

Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura
Merchant marinetotal: 7,886

by type: bulk carrier 2,604, container ship 615, general cargo 1,347, oil tanker 789, other 2,531 (2020)
total: 120

by type: general cargo 22, oil tanker 8, other 90 (2020)
Airportstotal: 117 (2013)total: 836 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 57 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 20 (2017)

under 914 m: 30 (2017)
total: 121 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 53 (2017)

under 914 m: 18 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 60 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2013)

under 914 m: 51 (2013)
total: 715 (2013)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 201 (2013)

under 914 m: 488 (2013)
Heliports3 (2013)3 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 122

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 12,939,350 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 47.63 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 12 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 157

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 33,704,037 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,349,450,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixHPHJ, HK

Military

PanamaColombia
Military branchesno regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Panama National Police (La Policía Nacional de Panamá, PNP), National Air-Naval Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, SENAN), National Border Service (Servicio Nacional de Fronteras, SENAFRONT) (2021)

note: on 10 February 1990, the government of then President Guillermo ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's National Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"
Military Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Militares de Colombia): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC; includes Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC); Colombian National Police (civilian force that is part of the Ministry of Defense) (2021)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP1.2% of GDP (2017)

1.3% of GDP (2016)

1.2% of GDP (2015)

1.3% of GDP (2014)

1.4% of GDP (2013)
3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

3.2% of GDP (2019)

3.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

3.2% of GDP (2017)

3.1% of GDP (2016)
Military and security service personnel strengthsapproximately 20,000 National Police; 4,000 National Border Service; 3,000 National Air-Naval Service (2020)the Military Forces of Colombia (FMC) have approximately 295,000 total active troops (235,000 Army; 45,000 Navy, including about 22,000 marines; 14,000 Air Force); approximately 185,000 Colombian National Police (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsPanama's security forces are lightly armed; Canada, Italy and the US have provided equipment to the security forces since 2010 (2020)the Colombian military inventory includes a wide mix of equipment from a variety of suppliers, including Brazil, Canada, Europe, Israel, South Korea, and the US; Germany, Israel, and the US are the leading suppliers of military hardware since 2010; Colombia's defense industry is active in producing air, land, and naval platforms (2020)

Transnational Issues

PanamaColombia
Disputes - international

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama

in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank

Illicit drugsmajor cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problemillicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 188,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2016, a 18% increase over 2015, producing a potential of 710 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2016, the Colombian government reported manual eradication of 17,642 hectares; Colombia suspended aerial eradication in October 2015 making 2016 the first full year without aerial eradication; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; Colombia probably remains the second largest supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation was estimated to be 1,100 hectares in 2015, sufficient to potentially produce three metric tons of pure heroin
Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 80,021 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2021)refugees (country of origin): 1,742,927 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021)

IDPs: 8,137,396 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985; about 300,000 new IDPs each year since 2000) (2021)

stateless persons: 11 (2020)

Environment

PanamaColombia
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 11.18 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 10.71 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 5.97 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 15.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 97.81 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 81.52 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 759.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 6.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 446.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 3.49 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 3.73 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 6.391 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.75% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,472,262 tons (2015 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 12,150,120 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,089,821 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.2% (2013 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook