Panama Canal

15 Aug 2012
Place: Visitor Centers

The Panama Canal has a rich and important history, and is one of man's greatest accomplishments of engineering. It is also one of the world's most symbolic waterways. The canal itself spans 50 miles and extends from Colón to Panama City. It forms a route that links the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. Tens of thousands of vessels travel the Panama Canal annually.

In Miraflores (on the Pacific side) and Gatun (on the Atlantic side), there are locks that enable the raising and lowering of boats and ships by over 85 feet, to enable them to continue their way. At these above mentioned locations, there are viewing points for tourists, often with bilingual tour guides available to talk you through the complex and fascinating processes.

On August 15, 2011 we celebrate the 97th anniversary of the inauguration of the Panama Canal, which opened its doors in an official way on August 15, 1914, being one of the most important engineering masterpieces of the XX Century.