In world geography and international trade routes, which port city is located at the northern end of the Panama Canal on the Caribbean Sea side?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your knowledge of important world ports and strategic waterways, specifically the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a vital route for global maritime trade. Knowing which port lies at each end of the canal is a common topic in competitive exams that cover geography, shipping and international trade.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the port located at the northern end of the Panama Canal.
• The northern end of the canal opens into the Caribbean Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean system.
• The options given are Panama City, Colon, Gatun and Miraflores.
• We assume a basic understanding that the canal runs roughly north to south across Panama.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to remember that the Panama Canal has two main oceanic gateways. The northern end, on the Caribbean Sea side, is served by the port city of Colon, while the southern end, on the Pacific Ocean side, is associated with Panama City and Balboa. Gatun and Miraflores are names of important locks along the canal but are not the primary port city at the northern entrance. Thus, identifying Colon as the northern terminus is the correct approach.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise or recall the map of Panama and the canal that cuts across the isthmus from north to south.Step 2: Recall that the northern end of the canal opens into the Caribbean Sea, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean.Step 3: Remember that the port city of Colon lies on the Caribbean coast and serves as the main northern gateway to the canal.Step 4: Note that Panama City is on the Pacific side to the south and cannot be the northern end.Step 5: Recognise that Gatun and Miraflores are names of lock complexes within the canal and not the primary port city at the northern entrance.Step 6: Conclude that Colon is the correct answer for the northern end port.

Verification / Alternative check:
As an additional check, remember some common geography facts often repeated in exam guides: Colon is described as the Atlantic or Caribbean terminal of the Panama Canal, while Balboa and Panama City act as main terminals on the Pacific side. Gatun Lake and Gatun Locks lie inside the canal system, and Miraflores Locks are closer to the Pacific end. This confirms that Colon is the correct northern port city.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Panama City is wrong because it is located near the Pacific entrance, not the northern Caribbean entrance.
• Gatun is wrong because it refers mainly to the Gatun Locks and Gatun Lake inside the canal, not a major port city at the entrance.
• Miraflores is wrong because it is the name of a lock system near the Pacific side and again not the northern entrance port.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes assume that the capital city, Panama City, must be the answer for any Panama related question, which leads to an incorrect guess. Another common error is confusing internal features of the canal, such as Gatun and Miraflores Locks, with external port cities. Carefully reading the phrase northern end and remembering that the Caribbean Sea is on the Atlantic side helps avoid these mistakes.

Final Answer:
Colon is the port located at the northern end of the Panama Canal on the Caribbean Sea side.