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...