Exact population: 3,191,319 (July 2006 est.)

Literacy: Total population: 92.6%; male: 93.2%; female: 91.9%

Ethnicities: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%

Area: Total: 78,200 sq km; land: 75,990 sq km; water: 2,210 sq km

Land boundaries: Total: 555 km; border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

Terrain: Interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills

Extremes: Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m; highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m

Imports: US 33.3%, Netherlands Antilles 8.1%, Japan 6%, Costa Rica 5.7%, Mexico 4.6%, Colombia 4.2% (2004)

Exports: US 50.5%, Sweden 6.6%, Spain 5.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, Costa Rica 4.2% (2004)

Industries: Construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling

Source: CIA World Factbook