CENTRAL AMERICA 
143 
the south by Colombia, and the west by the 
Pacific Ocean. 
Through its center is a strip of land stretch 
ing five miles on either side of the Panama 
Canal for a distance of 45 miles and known 
as the Canal Zone. By the Isthmian Canal 
Convention of November 18, 1903, the United 
States acquired a perpetual right of occupa 
tion, use and control over the Zone, paying 
the Republic of Panama the sum of $10,000,- 
000, and, beginning February 26, 1913, the 
sum of $230,000 annually so long as such oc 
cupancy continues. The Canal Zone is gov 
erned by the President of the United States. 
The population of this strip during the build 
ing of the canal was as high as 70,000, but it is 
doubtful if it has 30,000 inhabitants to-day. 
With the completion of the Canal, the force of 
workmen necessary to maintain it in running 
order, together with civilian employes and 
the United States garrison, will make a per 
manent population of perhaps 25,000. 
British Honduras, with an area of 7562 
square miles and a population of 40,000, is the