Visit the Panama Canal

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is not only one of the most significant waterways on earth; it is also a place for incredible natural wonders. Take a day trip to Embera Indian Village to find local crafts or Gatun Lake, a body of water made ​​by the man who feeds the canal. is in a jungle alrrededor little touched by the man who has some of the rarest species of flora and fauna in South America.

The Panama Canal is one of the largest infrastructures built by man, and an important dynamic element of maritime trade. 

Already in 1516, when Nuñez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and discovered the small distance between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans began to think about creating a waterway to cross that road. Studies at the time determined the technical impossibility of doing, and all was building a land route that was used to transfer the mineral resources of Peru eastward to ship them to Europe. 

Later in the nineteenth century were the French (emboldened after the construction of the Suez Canal between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea) who tried to repeat his success. However, the harsh natural conditions in Central America prevented them succeed. 

Finally, it was the United States who took to the adventure. There were two main reasons: first, the discovery of gold in California in the mid-nineteenth generated the need to open a path to quick and efficient transportation. On the other hand, military necessity (which was evident in the war in Cuba against Spain) to quickly move warships from the west coast to the east coast to be a true master of the two oceans. 

After handling alternative routes (for Nicaragua) decided to launch the operation by Panama, the then province of Colombia. The United States supported the Panamanian independence movement that culminated in the declaration of independence in 1903 In return, through the Hay-Bunau-Varilla, Panama gave the United States sovereignty over the future path of the Canal and its fringe about 10 miles (5 per side). 

From 1904 until its completion in 1914 - so the construction work, which took part between large problems (up to 45,000 people came to work simultaneously on it, the natural environment and disease due to the very extent of the work) began with the first full transit on January 7 of that year.

The Panama Canal cost Americans approximately $ 375,000,000, including $ 10,000,000 paid to Panama and the $ 40,000,000 paid to the French company, thus becoming the most expensive project undertaken by the country to date. 

After almost 60 years of operations under American sovereignty in 1977, the Torrijos-Carter treaties, by which the return was raised in 2000 for the sovereignty of the Canal to the Panamanians, were signed. During the 20 years of transition, the canal was operated by the Panama Canal Commission, a government agency of the United States. The December 31, 1999 was finally transferred sovereignty, and since then the channel is operated by the Panamanian authorities through the Panama Canal Authority.