The Panama Canal Zone

Panama Canal Treaty of 1903

By a treaty of 1903 a strip of land in the center of the country Panama was granted to the United States of America for the purposes of construction, maintenance and protection of the canal. This canal was built through the isthmus of Panama during the years 1905 - 1915. The canal connected the Atlantic Ocean - via the Caribbean Sea - and the Pacific Ocean.

Length of the Panama Canal

The total length of the Panama Cana is about 80 kilometers and has a width of at least 70 meters. Most ships need about 24 hours to pass the canal owing to the many locks in the canal. These locks bring a ship on a 26 meter higher level when they navigate from north to south as the level of the Pacific is that much higher than the Caribbean Sea.

Compensation for Panama

The United States of America paid a compensation sum to Panama for the use of the zone, which amount was increased in later years. In 1977 the two countries made new treaties in which the sovereignty over the canal should be transferred to Panama on 31 December 1999, just before the new millennium begun.

Ceremonial transfer

The ceremonial transfer took place on 14 December 1999. It was an important day for Panama, but the United States paid less attention to this historic event, for nor President Clinton could or would be present, nor even vice-president Gore was there. The American delegation came with their leader, ex-president Jimmy Carter. Spain paid more attention to the transfer of sovereignty of the canal: King Juan Carlos himself attended the transfer of the canal.

Tourism

Panama works hard to attracts tourists to come to the country. Not only the canal is a very interesting object for tourists but the nature of the country is very rich of birds and plants. Bird-fanciers find a rich territory here.

Canopy Tower

Many buildings along the canal where the Americans had sheltered their troops and other canal-personnel are now reconstructed in hotel-accommodations. Canopy Tower was a radar-tower of the Americans and was part of their defense-system. The tower is now reconstructed as a belvedere. Canopy tower is just a few kilometers north of Balboa and offers fine views over the hills in this part of the country and especially over the beginning of the Pacific side of the canal near Balboa and the capital of Panama: Panama-City.

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