Country Official Name
-
| (ENGLISH) |
Republic of Panama |
| (JAPANESE) |
パナマ共和国 |
| (SPANISH) |
República de Panamá |
Government Type
The Republic of Panama is a sovereign and independent state. Its government is unitary, republican, democratic and representative. It is composed of three governing branches: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial.
Administrative Divisions
- 9 provinces: Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Coclé, Colón, Darién, Herrera, Los Santos, Panamá, Veraguas
- 75 districts
- 5 autonomous indian territories (comarcas): Kuna Yala, Ngöbe Buglé, Cémaco, Wargandi, Madugandi
See Map of the Republic of Panama  |
National Day November 3, 1903
Constitution October 11, 1972; major reforms adopted in 1978, 1983, 1994 and 2004
Legal System Based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.
Parliament Unicameral Legislative Assembly (78 seats; will be reduced to 71 as of 2009) Members are elected by popular vote for five-year terms (Last election: may 2nd, 2004)
Suffrage 18 years of age; voluntary
President Martín Torrijos Espino (inaugurated on September 1st, 2004)
Ruling Parties Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) and Popular Party (PP)
Political Parties and Leaders
-
- Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD)
|
|
Martín Torrijos Espino |
- Panameñista Party (former Arnulfista Party)
|
Juan Carlos Varela |
- Democratic Change (CD)
|
Ricardo Martinelli |
- Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA)
|
Gisela Chung |
- Liberal Party
|
Joaquín F. Franco Vásquez |
- Popular Party (PP) (Formerly, Christian Democratic Party (PDC)
|
René Orillac |
- Patriotic Union Party (former Solidarity Party and National Liberal Party)
|
Guillermo Ford |
| |
Diplomatic Relations with Japan: Panama and Japan established diplomatic relations on January 7th, 1904.
On January 7th, 2004, Panama and Japan celebrated the Centenary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. |
