The Panama Canal was build over a ten year period. 1904-1914. It is a 48 mile ship canal that conects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The Canal was one of the most difficult engineering projects that they have ever done. The canal had a big impact on shipping between the two oceans. It replaced the long route around the southern tip of South America.
It all started in the early 16th century. The first attempt to build a canal began in 1880 under French leadership, but was cancelled after 21,900 workers died, largely from disease and landslides. The United States had a second effort, issued with 5,600 deaths but succeeding in opening the canal in 1914. A ship traveling from New York to San Francisco could save 7,872 miles using the Panama Canal instead of going around South.
The average time spent in the canal from port to port is approx. 8 - 10 hours.
The least expensive toll was 36 cents to American adventurer Richard Halliburton, who swam the canal in 1928.
I think the Panama Canal was a great project and i still can not beleive how big this canal really is!! I would love to see it in person and see how it works.
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A bit brief but good!