Panama Canal and Greenland

Published on 26 Aug 2025

• US president Donald Trump Donald Trump suggested that he would consider using military force to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.

Panama Canal

• The Panama Canal handles 5% of global maritime trade and connects the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and Pacific Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama.

• It features two artificial lakes—Gatun Lake (425 km²), formed by damming the Chagres River, and the smaller Miraflores Lake.

• The canal spans 82 km (51 miles) and includes three lock systems: Gatún, Pedro Miguel, and Miraflores.

• It accommodates Panamax ships (294 m length, 32.3 m width) and, after its 2016 expansion, Neo-Panamax vessels (366 m length, 51 m width). 

• Initially proposed by Spain in the 16th century, a French attempt (1881-1894) failed due to disease and engineering challenges. 

• The U.S. took over construction (1904-1914) after failed attempts by Spain and France (who built the Suez Canal).

• The U.S got the contract after supporting Panama’s independence from Colombia, and control was transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999, under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. 

Greenland

• Greenland, the world’s largest island, is an autonomous territory of Denmark (other being Faroe Island) located between the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. 

• It has a population of around 56,000, mostly Indigenous Inuit, and its capital, Nuuk, is geographically closer to New York than Copenhagen. 

• It is geographically part of the continent of North America

• Under Danish rule since the 18th century, Greenland gained self-governance in 1979 and has had the right to declare independence via referendum since 2009. 

• Though not part of the EU, it is associated as one of its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). 

• The U.S. occupied Greenland in 1941 during WWII, maintained a military presence at Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base )

                       

                                    

Keywords:

Panama Canal Panama Canal and Greenland Greenland USA US President Caribbean sea connectivity Isthmus of Panama Gatun Lake Chagres River Miraflores Lake Torrijos-Carter Treaties Denmark North America Overseas Countries and Territories OCTs