ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Panama. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Panama. Panama's citizens can change their government democratically. The 1999 national elections were considered free and fair by international observers. Panama was part of Colombia until 1903, when a US-supported revolt resulted in the proclamation of an independent Republic of Panama. A period of weak civilian rule ended with a 1968 military coup that brought General Omar Torrijos to power. Repeated incursions into Panamanian territory by Colombian guerrillas continued to spark concerns in the region about the spillover effects of Colombia's civil war. Panama's media are a raucous assortment of radio and television stations, daily newspapers, and weekly publications.
