Panama
POPULATION 2,882,329
ROMAN CATHOLIC 78 percent
PROTESTANT 12 percent
MUSLIM 4.4 percent
BAHAI 1.2 percent
BUDDHIST 0.8 percent
INDIGENOUS 0.7 percent
OTHER 2.9 percent
Country Overview
Introduction
The Republic of Panama, bordered by the Caribbean to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, is an isthmus connecting Central and South America. To the west is Costa Rica, and to the east is Colombia.
Almost all Panamanians claim some religious affiliation, the majority as Roman Catholics. The second largest group consists of Protestants, mostly evangelicals. The construction of the Panama Canal, opened in 1914, and the country's role in international trade have resulted in the arrival of people of other religions, including Bahais, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Sikhs.
After achieving independence from Colombia in 1903, Panama established a constitutional democracy. Its civilian government was overthrown in 1968 by a military coup, and for 20 years Panama was run by a military junta led by generals Omar Torrijos (1968–81) and Manuel Noriega (1983–89).
Religious Tolerance
Although Panama's constitution does not designate the Roman Catholic Church as the country's official religion, it recognizes Roman Catholicism as "the religion of the majority of Panamanians." The archbishop of Panama enjoys privileges usually reserved for government officials, and Catholicism is taught in public schools, although the classes are not mandatory.
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