Panama

Panama City · Central America

Panama is a country in North America. Its capital city is Panama City, the official currency is the Balboa, and the main language is Spanish.

With a population of roughly 4.5 million people spread over 75,417 km², Panama is the 126th most populous country in the world and the 116th largest by area. That works out at about 60 people per square kilometre.

Panama shares land borders with Costa Rica and Colombia — 2 neighbours in all. Its largest urban centres are Panama City, San Miguelito and Colón. The highest point in the country is Volcán Barú, at 3,474 metres.

For scale, it covers almost exactly the same area as Czechia, while its population is closest to that of Oman.

Capital
Panama City
Region
Central America
Population
4,500,000
Area
75,417 km²
Currency
Balboa
Main language
Spanish
Highest point
Volcán Barú
3,474 m
Land borders
2

Panama: things worth knowing

  • The Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific across 82 kilometres and carries a large share of world shipping.
  • Because of the isthmus's curve, the sun rises over the Pacific and sets over the Atlantic in Panama City.
  • The Darién Gap is the only break in the Pan-American Highway, an impassable stretch of rainforest and swamp.

Panama in context

North America has 23 sovereign countries in total. Panama ranks 12th among them by population.

See the full list of North America countries, or browse all 195 countries.

Other countries in North America