Capital

Simbabwe

name: Harare

geographic coordinates: 17 49 S, 31 02 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after a village of Harare at the site of the present capital; the village name derived from a Shona chieftain, NE-HARAWA, whose name meant "he who does not sleep"

Kuba

name: Havana

geographic coordinates: 23 07 N, 82 21 W

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November; note - Cuba has been known to alter the schedule of DST on short notice in an attempt to conserve electricity for lighting

etymology: the sites of Spanish colonial cities often retained their original Taino names; Habana, the Spanish name for the city, may be based on the name of a local Taino chief, HABAGUANEX

Panama

name: 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"

Citizenship

Simbabwe

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Zimbabwe; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Kuba

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

Panama

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Legal system

Simbabwe

mixed legal system of English common law, Roman-Dutch civil law, and customary law

Kuba

civil law system based on Spanish civil code

Panama

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice

Suffrage

Simbabwe

18 years of age; universal

Kuba

16 years of age; universal

Panama

18 years of age; universal

Area

Simbabwe

total: 390,757 sq km

land: 386,847 sq km

water: 3,910 sq km

Kuba

total: 110,860 sq km

land: 109,820 sq km

water: 1,040 sq km

Panama

total: 75,420 sq km

land: 74,340 sq km

water: 1,080 sq km

Land use

Simbabwe

agricultural land: 42.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 10.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 31.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 39.5% (2018 est.)

other: 18% (2018 est.)

Kuba

agricultural land: 60.3% (2018 est.)

arable land: 33.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 3.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 22.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 27.3% (2018 est.)

other: 12.4% (2018 est.)

Panama

agricultural 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.)

Location

Simbabwe

Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

Kuba

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Panama

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Age structure

Simbabwe

0-14 years: 38.16% (male 2,920,951/female 2,962,652)

15-64 years: 57.32% (male 4,417,612/female 4,419,769)

65 years and over: 4.52% (2023 est.) (male 269,329/female 428,361)

Kuba

0-14 years: 16.39% (male 926,457/female 874,347)

15-64 years: 66.81% (male 3,692,573/female 3,647,316)

65 years and over: 16.8% (2023 est.) (male 835,005/female 1,010,276)

Panama

0-14 years: 25.19% (male 569,439/female 540,143)

15-64 years: 64.87% (male 1,444,638/female 1,412,319)

65 years and over: 9.94% (2023 est.) (male 204,156/female 233,413)

Birth rate

Simbabwe

29.4 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Kuba

10 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Panama

17.7 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Death rate

Simbabwe

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Kuba

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Panama

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Languages

Simbabwe

Shona (official; most widely spoken), Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken), English (official; traditionally used for official business), 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa)

Kuba

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.

Panama

Spanish (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.

Life expectancy at birth

Simbabwe

total population: 66.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 65.2 years

female: 68.5 years

Kuba

total population: 79.9 years (2023 est.)

male: 77.5 years

female: 82.4 years

Panama

total population: 78.4 years (2023 est.)

male: 75.6 years

female: 81.5 years

Major urban areas - population

Simbabwe

1.578 million HARARE (capital) (2023)

Kuba

2.149 million HAVANA (capital) (2023)

Panama

1.977 million PANAMA CITY (capital) (2023)

Median age

Simbabwe

total: 21 years (2023 est.)

male: 20.2 years

female: 21.8 years

Kuba

total: 42.3 years (2023 est.)

male: 40.8 years

female: 44.3 years

Panama

total: 31.2 years (2023 est.)

male: 30.8 years

female: 31.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

Simbabwe

20.3 years (2015 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Net migration rate

Simbabwe

-2.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Kuba

-2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Panama

3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Population distribution

Simbabwe

Aside from major urban agglomerations in Harare and Bulawayo, population distribution is fairly even, with slightly greater overall numbers in the eastern half as shown in this population distribution map

Kuba

large population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana

Panama

population 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 inhabited

Population growth rate

Simbabwe

1.99% (2023 est.)

Kuba

-0.19% (2023 est.)

Panama

1.51% (2023 est.)

Total fertility rate

Simbabwe

3.51 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Kuba

1.71 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Panama

2.37 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Simbabwe

urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Kuba

urban population: 77.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Panama

urban population: 69.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Education expenditures

Simbabwe

3.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

Kuba

NA

Panama

3.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Simbabwe

total: 11 years

male: 12 years

female: 11 years (2013)

Kuba

total: 14 years

male: 13 years

female: 15 years (2021)

Panama

total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2016)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

Simbabwe

-9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Kuba

-10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Panama

-1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

Simbabwe

6.37% (2021 est.)

Kuba

-6.75% (2021 est.)

Panama

37.5% (2021 est.)

Labor force

Simbabwe

7.916 million (2021 est.)

Kuba

5.135 million (2021 est.)

note: state sector 72.3%, non-state sector 27.7%

Panama

1.966 million (2021 est.)

note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor

Population below poverty line

Simbabwe

38.3% (2019 est.)

Kuba

NA

Panama

22.1% (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

Simbabwe

5.17% (2021 est.)

5.35% (2020 est.)

4.83% (2019 est.)

note: data include both unemployment and underemployment; true unemployment is unknown and, under current economic conditions, unknowable

Kuba

2.76% (2021 est.)

2.62% (2020 est.)

1.74% (2019 est.)

note: data are official rates; unofficial estimates are about double

Panama

12.09% (2021 est.)

12.85% (2020 est.)

4.73% (2019 est.)

Public debt

Simbabwe

82.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

69.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Kuba

47.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

42.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Panama

37.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

37.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Simbabwe

98.55% (2021 est.)

557.2% (2020 est.)

255.3% (2019 est.)

Kuba

5.5% (2017 est.)

4.5% (2016 est.)

Panama

1.63% (2021 est.)

-1.55% (2020 est.)

-0.36% (2019 est.)

Exports

Simbabwe

$5.263 billion (2020 est.)

$5.267 billion (2019 est.)

$5.178 billion (2018 est.)

Kuba

$2.63 billion (2017 est.)

$2.546 billion (2016 est.)

note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.

Panama

$27.237 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$20.179 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$28.622 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

note: includes the Colon Free Zone

Exports - partners

Simbabwe

United Arab Emirates 40%, South Africa 23%, Mozambique 9% (2019)

Kuba

China 38%, Spain 11%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 5% (2019)

Panama

Ecuador 20%, Guatemala 14%, China 8%, United States 6%, Netherlands 6% (2019)

Imports

Simbabwe

$5.489 billion (2020 est.)

$5.398 billion (2019 est.)

$7.642 billion (2018 est.)

Kuba

$11.06 billion (2017 est.)

$10.28 billion (2016 est.)

Panama

$24.627 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$17.502 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$27.599 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

note: includes the Colon Free Zone

Imports - partners

Simbabwe

South Africa 41%, Singapore 23%, China 8% (2019)

Kuba

Spain 19%, China 15%, Italy 6%, Canada 5%, Russia 5%, United States 5%, Brazil 5% (2019)

Panama

China 21%, United States 19%, Japan 16%, Colombia 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019)

Airports

Simbabwe

196 (2021)

Kuba

133 (2021)

Panama

117 (2021)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

Simbabwe

total: 203,461 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)

Kuba

total: 231,654 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)

Panama

total: 562,413 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.)

Internet users

Simbabwe

total: 5.6 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 35% (2021 est.)

Kuba

total: 7.81 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 71% (2021 est.)

note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet"; issues relating to COVID-19 impact research into internet adoption, so actual internet user figures may be different than published numbers suggest

Panama

total: 2.992 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 68% (2021 est.)

Railways

Simbabwe

total: 3,427 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 3,427 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified)

Kuba

total: 8,367 km (2017)

standard gauge: 8,195 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (124 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 172 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge

note: As of 2013, 70 km of standard gauge and 12 km of narrow gauge track were not for public use

Panama

total: 77 km (2014)

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

Roadways

Simbabwe

total: 97,267 km (2019)

paved: 18,481 km (2019)

unpaved: 78,786 km (2019)

Kuba

total: 60,000 km (2015)

paved: 20,000 km (2001)

unpaved: 40,000 km (2001)

Telephones - fixed lines

Simbabwe

total subscriptions: 243,421 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2021 est.)

Kuba

total subscriptions: 1,539,269 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2021 est.)

Panama

total subscriptions: 790,486 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

Simbabwe

total subscriptions: 14,257,590 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 89 (2021 est.)

Kuba

total subscriptions: 7,103,296 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 63 (2021 est.)

Panama

total subscriptions: 6,003,255 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 138 (2021 est.)

Waterways

Simbabwe

223 km (2022) some navigation possible on Lake Kariba (223 km)

Kuba

240 km (2011) (almost all navigable inland waterways are near the mouths of rivers)

Panama

800 km (2011) (includes the 82-km Panama Canal that is being widened)

Disputes - international

Simbabwe

Zimbabwe-Mozambique: none identified

Zimbabwe-South Africa: South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration

Zimbabwe-Zambia: in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; in May 2021, Botswana and Zambia agreed in principle to let Zimbabwe be a partner in the bridge project as it enters its lasts phase

Kuba

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the facility can terminate the lease

Panama

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

Panama-Costa Rica: none identified