Panama Canal

Panama Canal
A canal about 80 km (50 miles) long and 150 m (490 feet) wide, across the isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its construction, begun by Ferdinand de Lesseps in 1881 but abandoned through bankruptcy in 1889 , was completed by the USA between 1904 and 1914 . The surrounding territory, the Panama Canal Zone or Canal Zone, was administered by the USA until 1979 , when it was returned to the control of Panama. Control of the canal itself remained with the USA until December 1999 , when it passed to Panama.