Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a major ship canal that crosses the Isthmus of Panama in Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.The construction of the canal was one of the largest and most difficult construction projects ever undertaken. It has had an enormous impact on shipping, as ships no longer have to travel the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. A ship sailing from New York to San Francisco via the canal travels 9,500 kilometres, well under half the distance of the previous 22,500 kilometre route around Cape Horn.
Although the concept of a canal in Panama dates back to the early 16th century, the first attempt to construct a canal began in 1880 under French leadership. After this attempt collapsed, the work was finally completed by the United States, and the canal opened in 1914. The building of the 77 kilometre (48 mi) canal was plagued by problems, including disease (particularly malaria and yellow fever) and massive landslides. As many as 27,500 workers are estimated to have died during construction of the canal.
Since opening, the canal has been enormously successful, and continues to be a key conduit for international shipping. Each year more than 14,000 ships can cross the canal, carrying more than 203 million tonnes of cargo. By 2002 about 800,000 ships had passed through the canal.
In 2006 the government voted to approve the expansion of certain sections of the canal, as some ships were now too wide to pass through.
Strategically the canal provides the US navy with an important means to link its Atlantic and Pacific fleets.