PANAMA CANAL, Panama--The Bridge of the Americas, one of two bridges spanning the Panama Canal.
Image details
Contributor:
David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
FJ17W5File size:
85.9 MB (1.9 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
6706 x 4476 px | 56.8 x 37.9 cm | 22.4 x 14.9 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
24 July 2015Location:
Panama City, Panama, PanamaMore information:
The Panama Canal is a 51-mile (82 km) man-made waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. Completed in 1914, this engineering marvel significantly shortened the distance that ships had to travel to pass between the two oceans, eliminating the lengthy and treacherous route around the southernmost tip of South America. The canal uses a system of locks - the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks on the Pacific side and Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side - that raise ships from sea level to the level of Gatun Lake, an artificial lake created to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal. The ships are then lowered back to sea level on the other side. The canal was a significant feat of engineering, and it had a substantial impact on global trade by providing a much quicker route for cargo ships. Before its construction, ships had to undertake the lengthy and perilous journey around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. The canal is operated by the Panama Canal Authority and is a crucial conduit for international maritime trade. There are two lanes of traffic, with ships passing in opposite directions in the canal. A notable aspect of the canal is the toll system, where fees are based on the type of vessel, its size, and its cargo. In 2007, a major expansion project was undertaken to accommodate larger ships (known as "New Panamax"). The expanded canal began commercial operation on June 26, 2016. Today, the Panama Canal continues to be a significant link in global trade, with tens of thousands of ships traversing the canal each year, carrying goods from many nations. Its strategic significance and engineering achievement make it a site of global interest.