Which country contains the Panama Canal?

Panama contains the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is an artificial waterway across Panama that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Ships enter through a series of locks, are raised to the level of Gatun Lake, cross the Continental Divide region, and then descend toward the opposite coast. The canal greatly shortens voyages that would otherwise pass around the southern tip of South America.

France began the first major construction attempt in 1881, but disease, engineering difficulties and financial problems led to its collapse. The United States resumed construction in 1904, and the canal opened in 1914. Panama took full control on 31 December 1999 under the Torrijos–Carter Treaties.

The canal does not simply connect two open seas at the same elevation: its lock system lifts ships about 26 metres to Gatun Lake. The original locks limited ship size, prompting the construction of larger Neopanamax locks, which opened in 2016 and expanded the canal's capacity.