# Panamanian balboa

> currency

**Wikidata**: [Q210472](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q210472)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panamanian_balboa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/panamanian-balboa

## Summary
The Panamanian balboa is the official currency of Panama, named after the Spanish conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa. Introduced in 1904, it replaced the Colombian peso and is divided into 100 centésimos. The balboa is issued by the National Bank of Panama and is widely used alongside the United States dollar in the country.

## Key Facts
- **Currency of**: Panama (country: Q739)
- **Named after**: Vasco Núñez de Balboa (explorer and conquistador)
- **Introduced**: 1904 (replaced the Colombian peso)
- **Subunit**: 100 centésimos
- **Issuer**: National Bank of Panama
- **ISO 4217 code**: PAB
- **Unit symbol**: B/. (or B/.)
- **Wikipedia title**: Panamanian balboa
- **Wikidata description**: currency
- **Aliases**: Balboa panameño, Balboa panameno, PAB, Balboa panaméen, Balboa panameen, 巴波亚, 巴爾波, Бальбао, Бальбоа, Balboa panamense, بالبوا
- **Sitelink count**: 50 (Wikipedia language editions)
- **Wikipedia languages**: Arabic, Egyptian Arabic, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Bengali, Catalan, Czech, German, Greek, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Basque, Persian, Finnish, French, Galician, Hebrew, Croatian, Hungarian, Armenian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Lithuanian, Latvian, Marathi, Malay, Dutch, Norwegian, Occitan, Punjabi, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Yakut, Serbo-Croatian, Simple English, Serbian, Swedish, Tajik, Turkish, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Yoruba, Chinese, Min Nan Chinese
- **Google Play store ID**: balboa
- **WordNet 3.1 synset ID**: 13686258-n (reference: Q112258758)
- **Wolfram Language unit code**: "PanamaBalboas"
- **QUDT unit ID**: CCY_PAB
- **QUDT dimension ID**: A0E0L0I0M0H0T0D1
- **PermID**: 500226
- **WikiKids ID**: Panamese_balboa
- **Native label**: Balboa
- **Different from**: Balboa (disambiguation page, reference: Q1551807)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0200cp (reference: Q15241312, publication date: 2013-10-28)
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia portal ID**: bal-boa-valiuta-a5d407
- **Spanish Cultural Heritage Thesauri ID**: numismatica/1186263
- **Image**: 1-balboa-panamc3a1-2011.jpg (Wikimedia Commons)
- **Price**: 1 United States dollar (fixed exchange rate)
- **Conversion to standard unit**: 1.639344262295082 international United States dollars (as of 2018)

## FAQs
**What is the Panamanian balboa?**
The Panamanian balboa is the official currency of Panama, introduced in 1904 to replace the Colombian peso. It is named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa and is issued by the National Bank of Panama. The balboa is divided into 100 centésimos and is widely used alongside the United States dollar in the country.

**Who is the Panamanian balboa named after?**
The Panamanian balboa is named after Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spanish conquistador who was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. His historical significance to Panama is honored by the currency's name.

**What is the ISO 4217 code for the Panamanian balboa?**
The ISO 4217 code for the Panamanian balboa is PAB. This code is used internationally to identify the currency in financial transactions and systems.

**What is the subunit of the Panamanian balboa?**
The Panamanian balboa is divided into 100 centésimos. The centésimo is the smallest monetary unit of the balboa and is used for transactions involving smaller amounts.

**What is the official issuer of the Panamanian balboa?**
The official issuer of the Panamanian balboa is the National Bank of Panama. The bank is responsible for the production and circulation of the currency within the country.

**What are the common aliases for the Panamanian balboa?**
The Panamanian balboa is known by several aliases, including Balboa panameño, Balboa panameno, PAB, Balboa panaméen, Balboa panameen, 巴波亚, 巴爾波, Бальбао, Бальбоа, Balboa panamense, and بالبوا. These aliases reflect the currency's usage and recognition across different languages and regions.

## Why It Matters
The Panamanian balboa plays a crucial role in the economy of Panama, facilitating trade, commerce, and financial transactions within the country. As the official currency, it is essential for the country's economic stability and international trade relations. The balboa's introduction in 1904 marked a significant milestone in Panama's financial history, replacing the Colombian peso and establishing a distinct monetary identity. The currency's naming after Vasco Núñez de Balboa reflects the historical and cultural significance of the explorer to Panama. Additionally, the balboa's use alongside the United States dollar highlights Panama's strategic location and economic ties with the United States. The National Bank of Panama's role as the issuer underscores the country's commitment to maintaining a stable and reliable monetary system. The balboa's ISO 4217 code and international recognition ensure its seamless integration into global financial systems. Overall, the Panamanian balboa is a vital component of Panama's economic infrastructure, supporting its growth and development.

## Notable For
- **Named after a historical figure**: The Panamanian balboa is named after Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas.
- **Strategic economic role**: The balboa is widely used alongside the United States dollar in Panama, reflecting the country's economic ties with the United States.
- **Official currency of Panama**: The balboa is the official currency of Panama, issued by the National Bank of Panama and recognized internationally.
- **ISO 4217 code**: The Panamanian balboa has the ISO 4217 code PAB, ensuring its recognition in global financial transactions.
- **Subunit of centésimos**: The balboa is divided into 100 centésimos, providing a smaller monetary unit for transactions involving smaller amounts.
- **Wikipedia presence**: The Panamanian balboa has a dedicated Wikipedia article in 50 languages, reflecting its global recognition.
- **Aliases in multiple languages**: The balboa is known by several aliases in different languages, including Spanish, French, German, Russian, and Chinese, highlighting its international usage.
- **Google Play store ID**: The balboa has a dedicated Google Play store ID, "balboa," indicating its presence in digital platforms.
- **WordNet and QUDT recognition**: The balboa is recognized in WordNet and QUDT, ensuring its integration into semantic and measurement systems.
- **PermID and WikiKids ID**: The balboa has a PermID and a WikiKids ID, further emphasizing its presence in financial and educational contexts.
- **Different from disambiguation page**: The Panamanian balboa is distinct from the disambiguation page "Balboa," ensuring clarity in its identification.
- **Freebase ID**: The balboa has a Freebase ID, indicating its presence in structured data systems.
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia portal ID**: The balboa has a Great Russian Encyclopedia portal ID, reflecting its recognition in Russian encyclopedic sources.
- **Spanish Cultural Heritage Thesauri ID**: The balboa has a Spanish Cultural Heritage Thesauri ID, highlighting its presence in cultural and numismatic contexts.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
The Panamanian balboa is a currency that serves as a generally accepted medium of exchange for goods and services within Panama. It is classified as a subclass of medium of exchange, unit of measurement, money, and means of payment. The balboa is specifically defined by its role as a unit of account, store of value, and means of payment within the Panamanian economy.

### Historical Context
The Panamanian balboa was introduced in 1904 to replace the Colombian peso, which had been used in Panama prior to its independence. This change reflected Panama's establishment as a sovereign nation and its need for a distinct monetary identity. The balboa's introduction was a significant milestone in Panama's financial history, marking the country's transition to its own currency system.

### Naming and Symbolism
The Panamanian balboa is named after Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spanish conquistador who was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. The naming reflects the historical and cultural significance of Balboa to Panama. The currency's symbol, B/., is used to denote the balboa in financial transactions and communications.

### Subunit and Denominations
The Panamanian balboa is divided into 100 centésimos. The centésimo is the smallest monetary unit of the balboa and is used for transactions involving smaller amounts. The balboa has various denominations, including coins and banknotes, that are issued by the National Bank of Panama. These denominations are designed to facilitate everyday transactions and financial activities within the country.

### Issuance and Regulation
The Panamanian balboa is issued by the National Bank of Panama, which is responsible for the production and circulation of the currency. The bank plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and reliability of the balboa within the Panamanian economy. The issuance of the balboa is regulated to ensure its value and integrity in financial transactions.

### International Recognition
The Panamanian balboa is recognized internationally through its ISO 4217 code, PAB. This code is used in financial transactions and systems to identify the currency. The balboa's international recognition ensures its seamless integration into global financial systems and trade relations. Additionally, the balboa is recognized in various semantic and measurement systems, including WordNet and QUDT.

### Digital and Cultural Presence
The Panamanian balboa has a presence in digital platforms, such as the Google Play store, where it is identified by the store ID "balboa." The currency's digital presence reflects its integration into modern financial technologies and systems. The balboa also has a presence in cultural and educational contexts, as evidenced by its recognition in the Spanish Cultural Heritage Thesauri and its dedicated article on WikiKids.

### Related Concepts and Disambiguation
The Panamanian balboa is distinct from the disambiguation page "Balboa," which refers to other entities with similar names. This distinction ensures clarity in the identification and recognition of the currency. The balboa is also related to other concepts, such as medium of exchange, unit of measurement, money, and means of payment, which highlight its multifaceted role in the economy.

### Financial and Economic Role
The Panamanian balboa plays a crucial role in the economy of Panama, facilitating trade, commerce, and financial transactions. The currency's use alongside the United States dollar reflects the country's strategic location and economic ties with the United States. The balboa's role in the economy is supported by its issuance by the National Bank of Panama and its recognition in global financial systems.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
The Panamanian balboa's naming after Vasco Núñez de Balboa reflects the historical and cultural significance of the explorer to Panama. The currency's presence in various encyclopedic sources, such as the Great Russian Encyclopedia, highlights its recognition and importance in global knowledge systems. The balboa's cultural and historical significance is further emphasized by its presence in numismatic and cultural contexts, such as the Spanish Cultural Heritage Thesauri.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. GF WordNet