Panama
Panama Canal
Welcome to Panama! The Panama Canal is a human-made waterway that lets huge ships cross straight through the narrow strip of land connecting North and South America.
Why is it famous?
It lets ships travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without sailing all the way around South America.
It's considered one of the greatest engineering achievements in history.
How was it built?
Workers dug through mountains and jungle and built giant water-filled steps called locks.
The locks raise and lower ships like a staircase, so they can cross land 85 feet above sea level.
Amazing facts
The canal is about 50 miles long and saves ships an 8,000-mile trip around South America.
Each set of locks uses millions of gallons of fresh water to lift ships up and down.
Quick facts
- The canal is about 50 miles long and saves ships an 8,000-mile trip around South America.
- Each set of locks uses millions of gallons of fresh water to lift ships up and down.
- It took about 10 years to build and opened in 1914.
- Around 14,000 ships pass through the canal every year.