GeographyPanama
PanamalocatedMiddle America, bordering bothCaribbean Sea andNorth Pacific Ocean, between ColombiaCosta Rica.
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America andCaribbean
Area:
total:
78,200 kmē
land:
75,990 kmē
water:
2,210 kmē
Area - comparative: 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:
contiguous zone:
24 nautical miles
exclusive economic zone:
200 nautical miles
territorial sea:
12 nautical miles
Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (MayJanuary), short dry season (JanuaryMay)
Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountainsdissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plainsrolling hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Land use:
arable land:
7%
permanent crops:
2%
permanent pastures:
20%
forestswoodland:
44%
other:
27% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 320 kmē (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestationtropical rain forest; land degradationsoil erosion threatens siltationPanama Canal
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law ofSea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:
Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: strategic location on eastern endisthmus forming land bridge connecting NorthSouth America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean SeaNorth Pacific Ocean
- See also : Panama
