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Panama

Republic of Panama

Civil lawUnitary presidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-02
Capital
Panama City
Population
4,400,000
Languages
Spanish
Currency
PAB

Panama · Constitution

Political Constitution of the Republic of Panama

Adopted in 1972 and substantially reformed in 1978, 1983, 1994 and 2004. Title XIV, added for the 1999 canal handover, gives the Autoridad del Canal de Panamá its own patrimony and payroll regime outside ordinary public administration. The 2004 reform cut the legislature to a single chamber of 71 and tightened Supreme Court appointments.

The constitutional text

Adopted in 1972 and substantially reformed in 1978, 1983, 1994 and 2004. Title XIV, added for the 1999 canal handover, gives the Autoridad del Canal de Panamá its own patrimony and payroll regime outside ordinary public administration. The 2004 reform cut the legislature to a single chamber of 71 and tightened Supreme Court appointments.

Separation of powers

Unitary, with ten provinces and five indigenous comarcas. The comarcas — Guna Yala, Emberá-Wounaan, Ngäbe-Buglé, Guna de Madugandí and Guna de Wargandí — hold recognised collective land title and internal authority.

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