La récupération de la Zone du Canal et ses conséquences géographiques pour la République de Panama

The Canal Zone and its geographical consequences for the Republic of Panama. On October, 1st, 1979 disappeared one of the most singular creation of the colonial system : the Canal Zone. During 75 years, the Zone was a juridical, economical and human enclosed territory, only used for Panama Canal operation and training of the U.S. army. This territory divided the Republic of Panama between two parts and hindered an efficient use of its main natural resources : its geographical situation. The Canal Zone also caused important regional inequalities (strong concentration in the main city), economical (service-orientated economy), geographical distortion in the urban growth of the two main cities and important ecological impact. Now, in spite of the numerous restrictions which still remains on the use of returned lands, Panama can use for its own necesities an important infrastructure (ports, railroad) and the lands located on the Canal side for industrial and commercial purpose .The Canal Zone and its geographical consequences for the Republic of Panama. On October, 1st, 1979 disappeared one of the most singular creation of the colonial system : the Canal Zone. During 75 years, the Zone was a juridical, economical and human enclosed territory, only used for Panama Canal operation and training of the U.S. army. This territory divided the Republic of Panama between two parts and hindered an efficient use of its main natural resources : its geographical situation. The Canal Zone also caused important regional inequalities (strong concentration in the main city), economical (service-orientated economy), geographical distortion in the urban growth of the two main cities and important ecological impact. Now, in spite of the numerous restrictions which still remains on the use of returned lands, Panama can use for its own necesities an important infrastructure (ports, railroad) and the lands located on the Canal side for industrial and commercial purpose .La Zona del Canal y sus consecuencias geografîcas para la Republica de Panamâ. El primero de Octubre de 1979 desaparecio una de las mas particulares de las creaciones coloniales : la Zona del Canal de Panamâ. Por mâs de 75 anos, ésta constituyô un enclave juridico, econômico y humano usado solamente en funcion de las necesidades de funcionamiento del canal y de las fuerzas armadas de los Estados Unidos. Este territorio dividiô en dos partes la Republica de Panamâ e impidiô el pleno aprovechamiento de la posiciôn geogrâfîca, principal recurso del pais. La Zona fué también la causa de importantes desequilibrios interrégionales (enorme grado de primacia de la ciudad de Panamâ), econômicos (orientaciôn de la economia hacia' el sector terciario), y de importantes perturbaciones en el desarrollo de las ciudades y el medio ambiente.Hoy en dia, a pesar de las multiples restricciones que permanecen para el uso de las tierras devueltas, Panamâ puede usar para sus proprias necesidades una importante infraestructura (puerto, ferrocaril) y desarrollar actividades comerciales e industriales en la parte mâs valiosa de su territorio.Lecompte Dominique, Schachar Arie. La récupération de la Zone du Canal et ses conséquences géographiques pour la République de Panama. In: Cahiers d'outre-mer. N° 129 - 33e année, Janvier-mars 1980. pp. 23-48