Discover the Wonders of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal, which is approximately 50 miles long, was built to reduce the voyage time for ships traveling between the two oceans. The construction of the canal was a massive undertaking that required the excavation of over 200 million cubic yards of earth and rock.

The first attempt to build the canal was made by the French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps from 1881 to 1894. However, the French failed to complete the project due to the spread of yellow fever and malaria, killing thousands of workers. In 1904, the U.S. took over the project and finished the canal in 1914, eradicating yellow fever and malaria during the construction process.

The canal operates using a system of locks that raise and lower ships to different water levels, allowing them to traverse the canal. The largest ships that can traverse the canal are called Panamax ships, which are limited by the size of the locks. Over 1 million workers, including many from the Caribbean, worked on the canal during its construction, making it one of the largest engineering projects of its time.

The canal was officially opened on August 15, 1914 and has since become one of the most important waterways in the world, handling over 14,000 vessels annually. The U.S. controlled the canal until 1999, when it was transferred to Panama. In 2016, the Panama Canal underwent a major expansion, adding a new set of locks that allow for the transit of larger ships.

The Panama Canal is a remarkable engineering feat and a testament to human ingenuity. It has greatly reduced the voyage time for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, making it a vital component of global trade and commerce.

15 Fascinating Facts of a World Icon

1. The Panama Canal was built by the French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps from 1881 to 1894.

2. The U.S. took over the project in 1904 and finished the canal in 1914.

3. The canal was built to reduce the voyage time for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

4.The canal is approximately 50 miles long.

5. Over 1 million workers, including many from the Caribbean, worked on the canal during its construction.

6. The canal operates using a system of locks that raise and lower ships to different water levels.

7. The canal was officially opened on August 15, 1914.

8. The Panama Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world, handling over 14,000 vessels annually.

9. The U.S. controlled the canal until 1999, when it was transferred to Panama.

10. The largest ships that can traverse the canal are called Panamax ships, which are limited by the size of the locks.

11. The construction of the canal required the excavation of over 200 million cubic yards of earth and rock.

12. The French failed to build the canal due to the spread of yellow fever and malaria, killing thousands of workers.

13. The U.S. eradicated yellow fever and malaria during the construction of the canal, saving thousands of lives.

14. The canal was used extensively during both World Wars, as it was considered a strategically important waterway.

15. In 2016, the Panama Canal underwent a major expansion, adding a new set of locks that allow for the transit of larger ships.