Panama Canal

Considered as one of the chief means of access for ships traversing the land’s isthmus that connects the oceans of Atlantic and Pacific, the Panama Canal is also among the most largest and complicated projects in the field of engineering ever constructed. Over the years, it has already made an enormous impact as vessels no longer travel the perilous route of Drake Passage and Cape Horn.

Even in the fact that the concept of the Panama Canal dates back to as early as 16th century, it was only in 1880 that there was an initial attempt to create it under the leadership of the French. Not for long, it collapsed but credits to the Americans who complete the work, it opened in 1914. However, it was not exempted from any kind of dilemmas because those were the years that diseases such as malaria sickness and yellow fever were very rampant. It was recorded that as many as 27, 500 laborers died since they were distressed by those.

Since the Panama Canal begun its business, it has turned out to be tremendously successful. Until now, it continues to be a key conduit for international water transport. Annually, it can have room for more than 14, 000 big boats that have a capacity of beyond than 203 million tons of cargo. About four years ago, there were about 80, 000 crafts that went through it.

Due to its natural S- shape, the Panama Canal runs from the southeast at the Pacific tip to the northwest of the Atlantic. It has the ability to welcome all kinds of liners be it private yachts or commercial ferries. Panamax is the maximum size known that can use the world- renowned duct. Those that go beyond are called as post- Panamax. Typically, it takes nine hours to complete the course in the channel. In 2005, there were 278. 8 million tons making an average of almost 40 each day.

Consisting of two artificial lakes, it also has several enhanced conduits and three sets of locks. They added the Alajuela Lake which serves as a reservoir. The sum transit from the entrance to the breakwater is 76.9 with a greatest tidal range on the Pacific corner is more than 3.35 meters to less than 3.20 meters. Therefore, the lift of Miraflores changes between 13.1 meters at a highest vantage and 19.7 meters at a lowest vantage.

On the Atlantic side, Limon bay is a protected anchorage covered by a seawall. However, the interior space of the bay is not enough for the number and size that uses it. In the Pacific it is still open albeit, it has been enveloped by an enclosed topography of the nation’s gulf.