Panama Canal Zone

The Panama Canal Zone was a territory inside of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area extending 5 miles to each of its sides. From 1903 to 1979 the territory was controlled by the United States of America, which had built and financed the canal's construction. From 1979 to 1999 the canal itself was under joint U.S.-Panamanian control. In 1999 the territory was returned to Panama. The territory's capital was Balboa, Panama.

A number of players were born in the Canal Zone when it was under U.S. administration. Justin Lawrence was born there during the transition period, before it was fully integrated into Panama.