Panama

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Country name conventional long form:Republic of Panama
conventional short form:Panama
local long form:Republica de Panama
local short form:Panama
Data code PM
Government type constitutional democracy
Capital Panama
Administrative divisions 9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 2 territories* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Ngobe-Bugle*, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas
Independence 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
National holiday Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983 and in 1994
Legal system based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch chief of state:President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President (Dominador) Kaiser Baldonero BAZAN (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President (Dominador) Kaiser Baldonero BAZAN (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president
elections:president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)
election results:Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37%
note:government coalition - PRD, PLN, and Popular Nationalist Party
Legislativ...