Panama Canal Zone

former U.S. territory within the Republic of Panama

9°07′03.61″N 79°43′12.60″W / 9.1176694°N 79.7201667°W / 9.1176694; -79.7201667

Panama Canal Zone
Zona del Canal de Panamá
1903–1979
Flag of Canal Zone
Flag
Seal of Canal Zone
Seal
Motto: The Land Divided, The World United
Map of Panama Canal Zone. The Caribbean Sea is at the top left, the Gulf of Panama is at bottom right
Map of Panama Canal Zone. The Caribbean Sea is at the top left, the Gulf of Panama is at bottom right
StatusInternational Concession of the United States
CapitalBalboa
Common languagesSpanish, English
Demonym(s)Zonian
History 
November 18, 1903
• Disestablished
October 1, 1979
Area
• Total
1,432 km2 (553 sq mi)
CurrencyUnited States dollar
Panamanian balboa (tolerated)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Panama
Panama
Today part ofPanama

The Panama Canal Zone (Spanish: Zona del Canal de Panamá) is a 553-square-mile (1,430 km2) former International concession of United States . It is now the country of Panama.

In 1903, the territory was controlled by the United States. As a part of the United States, the zone had several towns and military bases.

The Zone was disestablished in October 1, 1979 as part of a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter and Omar Torrijos, the unofficial leader of Panama.

The Panama Canal was operated by the United States until December 31, 1999, when it returned to Panama.

History

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The treaty was approved by the provisional Panamanian government on December 2, 1903, and by the US Senate on February 23, 1903. While the treaty was approved, the Panamanians received US$10 million, much of which the United States required to be invested in that country. The Canal Zone was formally turned over by Panama on May 4, 1904, when American officials reopened the Panama City offices of the canal company and raised the American flag.[1]

Notable people

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References

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  1. McCullough, pp. 397–399, 402.