The Panama Canal is approx. 80km long man-made waterway that crosses the narrow strip of land in Panama (a small country with a population of 4.1 million).
It was built to reduce the time, cost, and money it took for ships to carry goods from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.
Before this Canal was built, ships from the Pacific Ocean had to go around South America (green route in the image) to access the Atlantic Ocean.
However, after the Canal was built, a ship traveling from California to New York could save 13000 kms and five months (red route in the image), thereby boosting the trade and economy.
The French first began Panama Canal’s construction in 1881.
But engineering problems and high mortality (deaths caused by mudslides, poisonous snakes, mosquitoes, poor living conditions) proved too costly, and the project was shelved.
Then in 1904, the US began work, and the Canal was officially opened in 1914.
To date, it is considered one of the most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken—at one time, 45,000 people from world-over were working on this US-funded project.
When people think of a canal, they may think that land area must have been removed to create space for two oceans to come together.
But you need to look at this animation to understand how this engineering marvel actually works.
In 1999, America handed over Panama Canal to the country of Panama—this country was chosen for the construction because in that region, it is the narrowest strip of land between the two oceans.
To create a canal in Panama was first explored in 1534 when the King of Spain wanted to survey a route that would ease the travel between Spain and Peru.
After the Spanish rule, Colombia ruled Panama for over 80 years, and during this period, the people of Panama made several attempts to secede from Colombia but couldn’t succeed.
The decision by the US to influence the area, through various means, including the Panama Canal’s construction, led to the separation of Panama from Colombia in 1903 and its establishment as a nation.
Today, 12000+ ships travel through the Canal each year carrying over 200 million tons of cargo; 9000+ people are employed at the Canal.
