On this day: The Panama Canal Zone Reverted to Panama

Wednesday, 1st October 2014 by

On this day 35 years ago, the US returned sovereignty of the land around the Panama Canal to Panama. Since the US had financed and constructed the canal, the land 8km (5miles) on either side of it, except in cities, was proclaimed as a US territory, though Panamanians could freely enter the area. The US retained control of the canal itself until the end of 1999.

Panama Canal

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Ian Brown lives in Ottawa, Canada, and spends his spare time perusing maps to find new routes to ride on his orange bicycle.