What is the Panama Canal?
The Panama Canal is an 82-kilometer waterway across Panama that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Opened in 1914, it lets ships avoid the long voyage around South America.
The canal uses a system of locks that raise ships about 26 meters to Gatun Lake, an artificial lake in the middle of the isthmus, and then lower them on the other side. Passing through the canal takes about 8 to 10 hours. About 14,000 ships use it each year, carrying around 5 percent of world maritime trade.
France first tried to build a canal in the 1880s but failed after thousands of workers died from disease and accidents. The United States took over and completed it in 1914. The US controlled the canal until December 31, 1999, when Panama took full ownership.
Expansion and drought
A major expansion with larger locks opened in 2016, allowing much bigger ships, called Neopanamax. Each passage uses large amounts of fresh water from Gatun Lake, so severe droughts in 2023 and 2024 forced the canal to limit traffic.
Did You Know?
Ships pay tolls based on size and cargo. In 1928, adventurer Richard Halliburton swam the canal and paid a toll of 36 cents.