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Panama vs. Dominican Republic

Introduction

PanamaDominican Republic
BackgroundExplored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. An ambitious expansion project to more than double the Canal's capacity - by allowing for more Canal transits and larger ships - was carried out between 2007 and 2016.The Taino - indigenous inhabitants of Hispaniola prior to the arrival of the Europeans - divided the island into five chiefdoms and territories. Christopher COLUMBUS explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930 to 1961. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the US led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in the presidential election. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (first term 1996-2000) won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was later reelected to a second consecutive term. Following the two-term presidency of Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (2012-2020), Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona was elected president in July 2020.

Geography

PanamaDominican Republic
LocationCentral America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa RicaCaribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Geographic coordinates9 00 N, 80 00 W19 00 N, 70 40 W
Map referencesCentral America and the CaribbeanCentral America and the Caribbean
Areatotal: 75,420 sq km

land: 74,340 sq km

water: 1,080 sq km
total: 48,670 sq km

land: 48,320 sq km

water: 350 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than South Carolinaslightly more than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundariestotal: 687 km

border countries (2): Colombia 339 km, Costa Rica 348 km
total: 376 km

border countries (1): Haiti 376 km
Coastline2,490 km1,288 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
Climatetropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
Terraininterior mostly steep, rugged mountains with dissected, upland plains; coastal plains with rolling hillsrugged highlands and mountains interspersed with fertile valleys
Elevation extremeshighest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 360 m
highest point: Pico Duarte 3,098 m

lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m

mean elevation: 424 m
Natural resourcescopper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropowernickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land
Land useagricultural land: 30.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 7.3% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 20.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.6% (2018 est.)

other: 25.9% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 51.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 16.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 24.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 40.8% (2018 est.)

other: 7.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land321 sq km (2012)3,070 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsoccasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien arealies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts
Environment - current issueswater pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resourceswater shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notestrategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Oceanshares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds makes up the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti); the second largest country in the Antilles (after Cuba); geographically diverse with the Caribbean's tallest mountain, Pico Duarte, and lowest elevation and largest lake, Lago Enriquillo
Total renewable water resources139.304 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)23.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionpopulation is concentrated towards the center of the country, particularly around the Canal, but a sizeable segment of the populace also lives in the far west around David; the eastern third of the country is sparsely inhabitedcoastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central)

Demographics

PanamaDominican Republic
Population3,928,646 (July 2021 est.)10,597,348 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 25.56% (male 508,131/female 487,205)

15-24 years: 16.59% (male 329,250/female 316,796)

25-54 years: 40.31% (male 794,662/female 774,905)

55-64 years: 8.54% (male 165,129/female 167,317)

65 years and over: 9.01% (male 160,516/female 190,171) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 26.85% (male 1,433,166/female 1,385,987)

15-24 years: 18.15% (male 968,391/female 937,227)

25-54 years: 40.54% (male 2,168,122/female 2,088,926)

55-64 years: 8.17% (male 429,042/female 428,508)

65 years and over: 6.29% (male 310,262/female 350,076) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 30.1 years

male: 29.6 years

female: 30.5 years (2020 est.)
total: 27.9 years

male: 27.8 years

female: 28.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate1.16% (2021 est.)0.92% (2021 est.)
Birth rate16.67 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)18.24 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.01 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-2.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 21.68 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.08 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 79.47 years

male: 76.66 years

female: 82.41 years (2021 est.)
total population: 72.28 years

male: 70.57 years

female: 74.06 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.21 children born/woman (2021 est.)2.23 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate1% (2020 est.)0.9% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Panamanian(s)

adjective: Panamanian
noun: Dominican(s)

adjective: Dominican
Ethnic groupsMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 65%, Native American 12.3% (Ngabe 7.6%, Kuna 2.4%, Embera 0.9%, Bugle 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2%), Black or African descent 9.2%, Mulatto 6.8%, White 6.7% (2010 est.)mixed 70.4% (Mestizo/Indio 58%, Mulatto 12.4%), Black 15.8%, White 13.5%, other 0.3% (2014 est.)

note: respondents self-identified their race; the term "indio" in the Dominican Republic is not associated with people of indigenous ancestry but people of mixed ancestry or skin color between light and dark
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS31,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children
72,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsRoman Catholic 48.6%, Evangelical 30.2%, other 4.7%, agnostic 0.2%, atheist 0.2%, none 12.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2018 est.)Roman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4%, other 1.8%, atheist 0.2%, none 29.4%, unspecified 2% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<500 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children
1,900 (2020 est.)
LanguagesSpanish (official), indigenous languages (including Ngabere (or Guaymi), Buglere, Kuna, Embera, Wounaan, Naso (or Teribe), and Bri Bri), Panamanian English Creole (similar to Jamaican English Creole; a mixture of English and Spanish with elements of Ngabere; also known as Guari Guari and Colon Creole), English, Chinese (Yue and Hakka), Arabic, French Creole, other (Yiddish, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese); note - many Panamanians are bilingual

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Spanish (official)

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.4%

male: 96%

female: 94.9% (2018)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.8%

male: 93.8%

female: 93.8% (2016)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: intermediate (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 14 years (2016)
total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2017)
Education expenditures3.2% of GDP (2011)NA
Urbanizationurban population: 68.8% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 83.2% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 94.8% of population

total: 98.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 5.2% of population

total: 1.7% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.3% of population

rural: 92% of population

total: 96.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population

rural: 8% of population

total: 3.3% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 97.2% of population

rural: 72.4% of population

total: 89.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population

rural: 27.6% of population

total: 10.9% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 96.3% of population

rural: 89.5% of population

total: 95% of population

unimproved: urban: 13.8% of population

rural: 3.7% of population

total: 5% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population1.899 million PANAMA CITY (capital) (2021)3.389 million SANTO DOMINGO (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate52 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)95 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight3% (2019)4% (2013)
Health expenditures7.3% (2018)5.7% (2018)
Physicians density1.57 physicians/1,000 population (2016)1.53 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Hospital bed density2.3 beds/1,000 population (2016)1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate22.7% (2016)27.6% (2016)
Contraceptive prevalence rate50.8% (2014/15)69.5% (2014)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 53.9

youth dependency ratio: 40.8

elderly dependency ratio: 13.1

potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 53.8

youth dependency ratio: 42.2

elderly dependency ratio: 11.6

potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.)

Government

PanamaDominican Republic
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Panama

conventional short form: Panama

local long form: Republica de Panama

local short form: Panama

etymology: named after the capital city which was itself named after a former indigenous fishing village
conventional long form: Dominican Republic

conventional short form: The Dominican

local long form: Republica Dominicana

local short form: La Dominicana

etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic)
Government typepresidential republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Panama City

geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: according to tradition, the name derives from a former fishing area near the present capital - an indigenous village and its adjacent beach - that were called "Panama" meaning "an abundance of fish"
name: Santo Domingo

geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after Saint Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221), founder of the Dominican Order
Administrative divisions10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 4 indigenous regions* (comarcas); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Embera-Wounaan*, Guna Yala*, Herrera, Los Santos, Naso Tjer Di*, Ngobe-Bugle*, Panama, Panama Oeste, Veraguas10 regions (regiones, singular - region); Cibao Nordeste, Cibao Noroeste, Cibao Norte, Cibao Sur, El Valle, Enriquillo, Higuamo, Ozama, Valdesia, Yuma
Independence3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain on 28 November 1821)27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holidayIndependence Day (Separation Day), 3 November (1903)Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest effective 11 October 1972

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly, by the Cabinet, or by the Supreme Court of Justice; passage requires approval by one of two procedures: 1) absolute majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and by absolute majority vote of the next elected Assembly in a single reading without textual modifications; 2) absolute majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings, followed by absolute majority vote of the next elected Assembly in each of three readings with textual modifications, and approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2004
history: many previous (38 total); latest proclaimed 13 June 2015

amendments: proposed by a special session of the National Congress called the National Revisory Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval by at least one half of those present in both houses of the Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles, such as fundamental rights and guarantees, territorial composition, nationality, or the procedures for constitutional reform, also requires approval in a referendum
Legal systemcivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justicecivil law system based on the French civil code; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age can vote; note - members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote
Executive branchchief of state: President Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen (since 1 July 2019); Vice President Jose Gabriel CARRIZO Jaen (since 1 July 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen (since 1 July 2019); Vice President Jose Gabriel CARRIZO Jaen (since 1 July 2019)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term; president eligible for a single non-consecutive term); election last held on 5 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024)

election results:
2019: Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen elected president; percent of vote - Laurentino CORTIZO Cohen (PRD) 33.3%, Romulo ROUX (CD) 31%, Ricardo LOMBANA (independent) 18.8%, Jose BLANDON (Panamenista Party) 10.8%, Ana Matilde GOMEZ Ruiloba (independent) 4.8%, other 1.3%

2014: Juan Carlos VARELA elected president; percent of vote - Juan Carlos VARELA (PP) 39.1%, Jose Domingo ARIAS (CD) 31.4%, Juan Carlos NAVARRO (PRD) 28.2%, other 1.3%
chief of state: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a maximum of two consecutive terms); election last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024); note - the 2020 election was rescheduled from 17 May to 5 July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic

election results:
2020: Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona elected president in first round; percent of vote - Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 52.5%, Gonzalo CASTILLO Terrero (PLD) 37.5%, Leonel Antonio FERNANDEZ Reyna (FP) 8.9% other 1.1%

2016: Danilo MEDINA Sanchez reelected president; percent of vote - Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (PLD) 61.7%, Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 35%, other 3.3%; Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (PLD) reelected vice president
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; 45 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - populous towns and cities - by open list proportional representation vote and 26 directly elected in single-seat constituencies - outlying rural districts - by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 5 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 35, CD 18, Panamenista 8, MOLIRENA 5, independent 5; composition - men 55, women 16, percent of women 22.5%
description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of:
Senate or Senado (32 seats; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 6 members indirectly elected based upon province-wide party plurality votes for its candidates to the Chamber of Deputies; all members serve 4-year terms; note - in 2019, the Central Election Commission changed the electoral system for seats in26 constituencies to direct simple majority but retained indirect election for the remaining 6 constituencies; previously all 32 members were indirectly elected; the change had been challenged by the ruling and opposition parties)
House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; 178 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method, 5 members in a nationwide constituency and 7 diaspora members directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held 2024)
House of Representatives - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024); note - the 2020 election was rescheduled from 17 May to 5 July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 17, PLD 6, PRSC 6, BIS 1, DXC 1, FP 1
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 86, PLD 75,  PRSC 6, PRD 4, Broad Front 3, FP 3, AP 2, APD 2, BIS 2, DXC 2, other 5
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 magistrates and 9 alternates and divided into civil, criminal, administrative, and general business chambers)

judge selection and term of office: magistrates appointed by the president for staggered 10-year terms

subordinate courts: appellate courts or Tribunal Superior; Labor Supreme Courts; Court of Audit; circuit courts or Tribunal Circuital (2 each in 9 of the 10 provinces); municipal courts; electoral, family, maritime, and adolescent courts
highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia (consists of a minimum of 16 magistrates); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges); note - the Constitutional Court was established in 2010 by constitutional amendment

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and a non-governing party congressional representative; Supreme Court judges appointed for 7-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 9-year terms

subordinate courts: courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace; special courts for juvenile, labor, and land cases; Contentious Administrative Court for cases filed against the government
Political parties and leadersDemocratic Change or CD [Romulo ROUX]
Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Benicio ROBINSON]
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Francisco "Pancho" ALEMAN]
Panamenista Party [Jose Luis "Popi" VARELA Rodriguez] (formerly the Arnulfista Party)
Popular Party or PP [Juan Carlos ARANGO Reese] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC)
Alliance for Democracy or APD
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) [Fidel SANTANA]
Country Alliance or AP [Guillermo Antonio MORENO Garcia]
Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Danilo MEDINA Sánchez]
Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Miguel VARGAS Maldonado]
Dominicans For Change or DXC [Manuel OVIEDO Estrada]
Institutional Social Democratic Bloc or BIS
Liberal Reformist Party or PRL (formerly the Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic or PLRD)
Modern Revolutionary Party or PRM [Jose Ignacio PALIZA]
National Progressive Front or FNP [Vinicio CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]
People's Force or FP [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]
Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Federico ANTUN]
International organization participationBCIE, CAN (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOACP, AOSIS, BCIE, Caricom (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Juan Ricardo DE DIANOUS HENRIQUEZ (since 16 September 2019)

chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407

FAX: [1] (202) 483-8413

email address and website:
info@embassyofpanama.org

https://www.embassyofpanama.org/

consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington DC
chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia GUZMAN (since 18 January 2021)

chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280

FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057

email address and website:
embassy@drembassyusa.org

http://drembassyusa.org/

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Glendale (CA), Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

consulate(s): San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Charge d'Affairs Steward TUTTLE (since August 2020)

embassy: Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue, Clayton

mailing address: 9100 Panama City PL, Washington, DC 20521-9100

telephone: [507] 317-5000

FAX: [507] 317-5568 (2018)

email address and website:
Panama-ACS@state.gov

https://pa.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert W. THOMAS (since 20 January 2021)

embassy: Av. Republica de Colombia #57, Santo Domingo

mailing address: 3470 Santo Domingo Place, Washington DC  20521-3470

telephone: (809) 567-7775

email address and website:
SDOAmericans@state.gov

https://do.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptiondivided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center; the blue and red colors are those of the main political parties (Conservatives and Liberals respectively) and the white denotes peace between them; the blue star stands for the civic virtues of purity and honesty, the red star signifies authority and lawa centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are ultramarine blue (hoist side) and vermilion red, and the bottom ones are vermilion red (hoist side) and ultramarine blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by a laurel branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes
National anthemname: "Himno Istmeno" (Isthmus Hymn)

lyrics/music: Jeronimo DE LA OSSA/Santos A. JORGE

note: adopted 1925
name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)

lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES

note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island
International law organization participationaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdictionaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)harpy eagle; national colors: blue, white, redpalmchat (bird); national colors: red, white, blue
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years

Economy

PanamaDominican Republic
Economy - overview

Panama's dollar-based economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for more than three-quarters of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, logistics, banking, the Colon Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism and Panama is a center for offshore banking. Panama's transportation and logistics services sectors, along with infrastructure development projects, have boosted economic growth; however, public debt surpassed $37 billion in 2016 because of excessive government spending and public works projects. The US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement was approved by Congress and signed into law in October 2011, and entered into force in October 2012.

Future growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and was completed in 2016 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 10-15% of current GDP. The expansion project more than doubled the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate high-capacity vessels such as tankers and neopanamax vessels that are too large to traverse the existing canal. The US and China are the top users of the Canal.

Strong economic performance has not translated into broadly shared prosperity, as Panama has the second worst income distribution in Latin America. About one-fourth of the population lives in poverty; however, from 2006 to 2012 poverty was reduced by 10 percentage points.

The Dominican Republic was for most of its history primarily an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but over the last three decades the economy has become more diversified as the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in construction, tourism, and free trade zones. The mining sector has also played a greater role in the export market since late 2012 with the commencement of the extraction phase of the Pueblo Viejo Gold and Silver mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world.

For the last 20 years, the Dominican Republic has been one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. The economy rebounded from the global recession in 2010-16, and the fiscal situation is improving. A tax reform package passed in November 2012, a reduction in government spending, and lower energy costs helped to narrow the central government budget deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 2.6% in 2016, and public debt is declining. Marked income inequality, high unemployment, and underemployment remain important long-term challenges; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP.

The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for approximately half of exports and the source of 40% of imports. Remittances from the US amount to about 7% of GDP, equivalent to about a third of exports and two-thirds of tourism receipts. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and manufacturing exports.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$133.587 billion (2019 est.)

$129.688 billion (2018 est.)

$125.07 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$197.735 billion (2019 est.)

$188.225 billion (2018 est.)

$175.94 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate5.4% (2017 est.)

5% (2016 est.)

5.8% (2015 est.)
4.6% (2017 est.)

6.6% (2016 est.)

7% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$31,459 (2019 est.)

$31,049 (2018 est.)

$30,455 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$18,413 (2019 est.)

$17,712 (2018 est.)

$16,735 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 15.7% (2017 est.)

services: 82% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 5.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 33% (2017 est.)

services: 61.4% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line22.1% (2016 est.)21% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 38.9% (2014 est.)
lowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 37.4% (2013 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)0.9% (2017 est.)

0.7% (2016 est.)
1.8% (2019 est.)

3.5% (2018 est.)

3.2% (2017 est.)
Labor force1.633 million (2017 est.)

note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
4.732 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 17%

industry: 18.6%

services: 64.4% (2009 est.)
agriculture: 14.4%

industry: 20.8% (2014)

services: 64.7% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate6.14% (2018 est.)

6% (2017 est.)
5.1% (2017 est.)

5.5% (2016 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index49.2 (2018 est.)

56.1 (2003)
43.7 (2018 est.)

45.7 (2012 est.)
Budgetrevenues: 12.43 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 13.44 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 11.33 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 13.62 billion (2017 est.)
Industriesconstruction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar millingtourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices
Industrial production growth rate6.3% (2017 est.)3.1% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productssugar cane, bananas, rice, poultry, milk, plantains, pineapples, maize, beef, porksugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts
Exports$25.94 billion (2018 est.)

$24.7 billion (2017 est.)

note: includes the Colon Free Zone
$10.12 billion (2017 est.)

$9.86 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, copper, bananas, ships, coal tar oil, packaged medicines (2019)gold, medical instruments, cigars, low-voltage protection equipment, bananas (2019)
Exports - partnersEcuador 20%, Guatemala 14%, China 8%, United States 6%, Netherlands 6% (2019)United States 54%, Switzerland 8%, Canada 5%, India 5%, China 5% (2019)
Imports$28.978 billion (2018 est.)

$28.175 billion (2017 est.)

note: includes the Colon Free Zone
$17.7 billion (2017 est.)

$17.4 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiesships, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, tanker ships, packaged medicines (2019)refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Imports - partnersChina 21%, United States 19%, Japan 16%, Colombia 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019)United States 50%, China 13% (2019)
Debt - external$101.393 billion (2019 est.)

$94.898 billion (2018 est.)
$23.094 billion (2019 est.)

$21.198 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesbalboas (PAB) per US dollar -

1 (2017 est.)

1 (2016 est.)

1 (2015 est.)

1 (2014 est.)

1 (2013 est.)
Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar -

47.42 (2017 est.)

46.078 (2016 est.)

46.078 (2015 est.)

45.052 (2014 est.)

43.556 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt37.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

37.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
37.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

34.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.703 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.878 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$6.873 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$6.134 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$3.036 billion (2017 est.)

-$3.16 billion (2016 est.)
-$165 million (2017 est.)

-$815 million (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$66.801 billion (2019 est.)$88.956 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: BBB (2011)

Moody's rating: Baa1 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2020)
Fitch rating: BB- (2016)

Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017)

Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2015)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 66.6 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 92 (2020)

Trading score: 85.5 (2020)

Enforcement score: 49 (2020)
Overall score: 60 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 85.4 (2020)

Trading score: 83.5 (2020)

Enforcement score: 50.6 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues20.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 12.8%

male: 10.2%

female: 17.5% (2019 est.)
total: 16%

male: 11.8%

female: 22.8% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 45.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 10.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 42.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 41.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -44.2% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 69.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 24.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -28.1% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving30% of GDP (2019 est.)

29.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

31.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
23.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

23.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

22% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

PanamaDominican Republic
Electricity - production10.6 billion kWh (2016 est.)18.03 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption8.708 billion kWh (2016 est.)15.64 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports139 million kWh (2015 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports30 million kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)16,980 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018)0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption0 cu m (2017 est.)1.161 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)1.161 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity3.4 million kW (2016 est.)3.839 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels36% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)77% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants51% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)16% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources13% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production0 bbl/day (2015 est.)16,060 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption146,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)134,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports66 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports129,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)108,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 92% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 99.4% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019)
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

PanamaDominican Republic
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 741,269

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19.32 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 1,211,081

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11.65 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 5,599,005

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 145.92 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 8,948,107

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 86.05 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.pa.do
Internet userstotal: 2,199,433

percent of population: 57.87% (July 2018 est.)
total: 7,705,529

percent of population: 74.82% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

domestic and international facilities well-developed; steady increase in telecom revenue with effective competition; mobile connections account for 90% of connections; government-funded program to improve Internet infrastructure; connectivity through two submarine cables; launch of LTE services; Chinese company Huawei investment in bandwidth technologies; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 17 per 100 and rapid subscribership of mobile-cellular telephone 132 per 100 (2019)

international: country code - 507; landing points for the PAN-AM, ARCOS, SAC, AURORA, PCCS, PAC, and the MAYA-1 submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment: the Dominican Republic's fixed-line tele-density is well below the Latin American average due to lack of infrastructure; distribution of telephony services is proportionate to income inequalities; small, localized operators provide services; telecom and mobile broadband growing with LTE available to most of the population; government program aims for universal access to broadband services, and development of a national backbone; 5G launch anticipated in 2021 (2021) (2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 11 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of 83 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 1-809; 1-829; 1-849; landing point for the ARCOS-1, Antillas 1, AMX-1, SAm-1, East-West, Deep Blue Cable and the Fibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 523,530

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.64 (2019 est.)
total: 951,970

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9.15 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediamultiple privately owned TV networks and a government-owned educational TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; more than 100 commercial radio stations (2019)combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; combination of state-owned and privately owned radio stations with more than 300 radio stations operating (2019)

Transportation

PanamaDominican Republic
Railwaystotal: 77 km (2014)

standard gauge: 77 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)
total: 496 km (2014)

standard gauge: 354 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge (2014)
Pipelines128 km oil (2013)27 km gas, 103 km oil (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Balboa, Colon, Cristobal

container port(s) (TEUs): Balboa (2,894,654), Colon (4,379,477) (2019)
major seaport(s): Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo

oil terminal(s): Punta Nizao oil terminal

LNG terminal(s) (import): Andres LNG terminal (Boca Chica)
Merchant marinetotal: 7,886

by type: bulk carrier 2,604, container ship 615, general cargo 1,347, oil tanker 789, other 2,531 (2020)
total: 38

by type: container ship 1, general cargo 2, oil tanker 1, other 34 (2020)
Airportstotal: 117 (2013)total: 36 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 57 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 20 (2017)

under 914 m: 30 (2017)
total: 16 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 3 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2017)

under 914 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 60 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2013)

under 914 m: 51 (2013)
total: 20 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

under 914 m: 18 (2013)
Heliports3 (2013)1 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 122

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 12,939,350 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 47.63 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixHPHI

Military

PanamaDominican Republic
Military branchesno regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Panama National Police (La Policía Nacional de Panamá, PNP), National Air-Naval Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, SENAN), National Border Service (Servicio Nacional de Fronteras, SENAFRONT) (2021)

note: on 10 February 1990, the government of then President Guillermo ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's National Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"
Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Army (Ejercito Nacional, EN), Navy (Marina de Guerra, MdG, includes naval infantry), Dominican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD); National Police (Policia Nacional) (2021)

note: in addition to the military, the Ministry of Armed Forces directs the Airport Security Authority and Civil Aviation, Port Security Authority, and Border Security Corps
Military expenditures - percent of GDP1.2% of GDP (2017)

1.3% of GDP (2016)

1.2% of GDP (2015)

1.3% of GDP (2014)

1.4% of GDP (2013)
0.7% of GDP (2019)

0.7% of GDP (2018)

0.7% of GDP (2017)

0.7% of GDP (2016)

0.7% of GDP (2015)
Military and security service personnel strengthsapproximately 20,000 National Police; 4,000 National Border Service; 3,000 National Air-Naval Service (2020)information varies; approximately 60,000 active personnel (30,000 Army; 13,000 Navy; 17,000 Air Force); approximately 30,000 National Police (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsPanama's security forces are lightly armed; Canada, Italy and the US have provided equipment to the security forces since 2010 (2020)the military is lightly armed with an inventory consisting mostly of older US equipment with limited quantities of material from other countries; since 2010, Brazil and Israel are the leading suppliers of armaments to the Dominican Republic (2020)

Transnational Issues

PanamaDominican Republic
Disputes - international

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama

Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work

Illicit drugsmajor cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problemtransshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption
Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 80,021 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2021)refugees (country of origin): 114,050 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2020)

stateless persons: 133,770 (2016); note - a September 2013 Constitutional Court ruling revoked the citizenship of those born after 1929 to immigrants without proper documentation, even though the constitution at the time automatically granted citizenship to children born in the Dominican Republic and the 2010 constitution provides that constitutional provisions cannot be applied retroactively; the decision overwhelmingly affected people of Haitian descent whose relatives had come to the Dominican Republic since the 1890s as a cheap source of labor for sugar plantations; a May 2014 law passed by the Dominican Congress regularizes the status of those with birth certificates but will require those without them to prove they were born in the Dominican Republic and to apply for naturalization; the government has issued documents to thousands of individuals who may claim citizenship under this law, but no official estimate has been released

note: revised estimate includes only individuals born to parents who were both born abroad; it does not include individuals born in the country to one Dominican-born and one foreign-born parent or subsequent generations of individuals of foreign descent; the estimate, as such, does not include all stateless persons (2015)

Environment

PanamaDominican Republic
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 11.18 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 10.71 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 5.97 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 12.95 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 25.26 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 8.1 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 759.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 6.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 446.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 855 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 659.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 7.563 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,472,262 tons (2015 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,063,910 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 333,241 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8.2% (2015 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook