Digraph: PM
Type: constitutional republic
Capital: Panama
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui,
Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, 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
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 and head of government: President Ernesto PEREZ
BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994, elected 8 May
1994); First Vice President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1
September 1994); Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez
(since 1 September 1994 election last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held
9 May 1999); results - Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, Mireya
MOSCOSO DE GRUBER (PA) 29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES
(MOLIRENA) 16%
cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president