Panama is slightly smaller than the state of South Carolina total area: 29,157 square miles (75,517 square kilometers).

Panama has 1547 miles (2490 kilometers) of coastline.

Lowest point 0 feet Pacific Ocean, highest point 11,400 feet (3475 meters) Volcan in Chiriquí.

Panama's population is estimated to be 3,292,693 in a year 2008.

Panama is has 9 provinces: Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Coclé, Colon, Darién, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, Veraguas, and one territory San Blas: Kuna Yala.

Panama's Cost-of-Living: rent, homes, services, utilities, transportation, food, etc. are well under USA and European prices.

Average prices for a Full Time/Live-In Maid range $150 to $200 per month, this includes all the cooking and cleaning; Landscapers/Gardeners' costs range between $10-$20 per day, and sometimes even less.

Colon Free Zone is located in Colon and is the largest duty free zone in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world (world's largest being Hong Kong).

Panama strongly encourages foreign investment and development. The "Tourism Law No. 8," was implemented to include incentives such as 20-year immunities from import duties and fees for construction materials and equipment, income, real estate and other taxes.

Government type - Constitutional Democracy (Republic of Panama).

Borders both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and is located between Costa Rica and Colombia.

The Panama Canal was built between 1904 and 1914 by the United States Army Corp of Engineers.

The Panama Railroad was the most expensive railroad ever built, taking 5 years and almost 9 million dollars to build.

The President and Chief of State is Martin Torrijos Espino (1 September 2004), and is the son of the late Omar Torrijos. Martin Torrijos received two degrees from Texas ASM University: Economics & Political Science.

Panama has no military.

Panama is only 2.5 hours from Miami.

Retirees can bring all household goods to Panama, TAX FREE.

Panama has a perfect climate with temperatures 77-87F (25-30C) degrees year round.

Invest US$200,000 in any Titled Property here in Panama and you may qualify for Panamanian Residency through the "Self-Economic Solvency Visa" program.

Over 40 banking laws exist in Panama to protect the business nature of foreigners, such as banking privacy laws, as well as foreign/local investor equality laws.

A taxi fare in Panama City should cost between $1.50 and $2.75, and it is not customary to tip your cabbie. However, transfers between the Tocumen International Airport and Panama City cost usually between $20 and $30 each way.

In Panama, the property seller pays the 5% realtor or broker commission, not the property buyer.

The Panamanian government implemented the law which provides fantastic incentives to anyone interested in developing, investing or restoring/renovating in Panama City's historic district, "Casco Viejo".

Panama has been declared by many as the most preferred location for a second or retirement home for North Americans. And has the best retiree incentive program in the world, benefits including discounts on air travel, eye exams, movies, restaurants, and much, much more.

For its citizens, Panama is one of the top three of Latin American countries for quality of life: health, education and economic well-being.

Panama City is Latin America's location for the Johns Hopkins International Medical Center. At this time, the only other country outside of the United States to have Johns Hopkins is Singapore.

Panama City is often referred to as a "Second Miami" because of its sophisticated business district, healthcare, the American-style infrastructure and the elegance of many of its neighborhoods.

Panama has the highest level of communications infrastructure for telephone, fax, internet, and cellular communications in all of Central & South America, including the Caribbean.

Panama has a unique geographical position, and fortunately Panama does not suffer from natural disasters such as hurricanes or destructive earthquakes that often plague its Central American neighbors.

Home ownership in Panama is currently at unbeatable prices! Foreigners can buy and sell Panamanian property legally and easily, and are also protected by exactly the same rights that protect local Panamanian property owners.

Foreign investors in Panama and the businesses, in which they participate, have the same rights and duties as local investors and enterprises; including the rights referring to freedom of trade & industry, as well as rights to import & export.

Panama City is home to the second largest international banking center in the world next to Switzerland, with more than 150 banks from 35 different countries.

Few other Latin American cities can boast buildings of such quality construction and so many attractive neighborhoods.

Panamanian tariffs are the lowest of all the Americas!

Panama is a shopper's paradise whether you are shopping for fashion, computers, electronics, or automobiles; you can find everything you need in Panama.

Private education is excellent! Panama City has many international schools and dozens of other bilingual schools available.

The U.S. dollar is Panama's legal currency, nearly eliminating any currency exchange risks to foreign companies relocating here.

NO PROPERTY TAXES on new construction.

Panama's Pacific Coast is home to world class deep sea fishing.