Naval Base Panama Canal Zone

The Panama Canal Zone was a special area of the Panama Canal where the United States had a military base from 1903 to 1979. It was a place where the US Navy could protect the canal (a very important waterway), perform operations and training, and provide a home for its sailors and their families. The US had a lot of control over the Zone, including laws and customs, and the families who lived there could enjoy a high quality of life. After the 1970s, the Zone was given back to Panama, and the US military base there was closed.