The Panama Canal is a waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It is 48 miles. It’s a system of locks that function as water lifts. The locks are 110 feet wide and 1050 feet long. It lifts the ships from sea level. The ships then sail to the channel through the continental divide. It takes 8 to 10 hours to pass through the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal was built to ship goods quickly and cheaply between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.The building process began in 1881 and was completed in and opened in 1914. At first the French attempted to build it, but failed. Then the Americans became interested. US congress voted and agreed in 1903. Theodore Roosevelt also agreed to build it. One fun fact is that America wanted
…show more content…
One included Panama would not let the US build it. Later the US helped Panama in a revolution against Colombia and won. Once Panama was independent they agreed to let the US build the canal. Another one includes the yellow fever. Yellow fever is spread by mosquitos. These were a problem because the hot temperature and being around water. The temperature was usually above 100. The men also had mold growing in their boots overnight. There was also a shortage of supplies and labor. Because of yellow fever, it killed nearly 22,000 people. This is why their was a shortage of labor. When the Panama Canal was beginning to be built, there were no roads or sea ports. All equipment and supplies had to be shipped into an area that had yet been developed.
The territory the canal was built on was first Colombian, then French, then American, and then was Panamanian. The Panama Canal is used everyday. There are around 13,000 to 14,000 ships that use it daily. More than 815,000 ships have passed through it. The canal is currently being expanded to handle megaships. It cost $400 million dollars. There were approximately 30,000,000 explosives used to clear the area to build the canal. The Panama Canal also has a toll that must be paid to pass through. One time a man named Richard Halliburton paid $0.36 to swim the Panama
One included Panama would not let the US build it. Later the US helped Panama in a revolution against Colombia and won. Once Panama was independent they agreed to let the US build the canal. Another one includes the yellow fever. Yellow fever is spread by mosquitos. These were a problem because the hot temperature and being around water. The temperature was usually above 100. The men also had mold growing in their boots overnight. There was also a shortage of supplies and labor. Because of yellow fever, it killed nearly 22,000 people. This is why their was a shortage of labor. When the Panama Canal was beginning to be built, there were no roads or sea ports. All equipment and supplies had to be shipped into an area that had yet been developed.
The territory the canal was built on was first Colombian, then French, then American, and then was Panamanian. The Panama Canal is used everyday. There are around 13,000 to 14,000 ships that use it daily. More than 815,000 ships have passed through it. The canal is currently being expanded to handle megaships. It cost $400 million dollars. There were approximately 30,000,000 explosives used to clear the area to build the canal. The Panama Canal also has a toll that must be paid to pass through. One time a man named Richard Halliburton paid $0.36 to swim the Panama