Part 577

Economy -------

Economic overview: no economic activity

Transportation --------------

Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during World War II are unserviceable and overgrown

Ports: West Lagoon

Airports: airstrip has been overgrown by vegetation and is no longer serviceable

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US

======================================================================

@Panama ------

Map ---

Location: 9 00 N, 80 00 W -- Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Flag ----

Description: divided 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

Geography ---------

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

Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total area: 78,200 sq km land area: 75,990 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

Coastline: 2,490 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; 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 lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m

Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp

Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 54% other: 23%

Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.)