Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km (51 mi) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The French began the construction of the canal in 1881, but were forced to abandon the project in 1889 due to engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. The United States took over the project in 1904, and opened the canal on August 15, 1914.

One of the largest and most difficult engineering feats ever undertaken, the Panama Canal shortcut greatly reduced the time for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enabling them to avoid the lengthy, hazardous Cape Horn route around the southernmost tip of South America.

The majority of the canal route is elevated (i.e. lies above the sea level). There are three sets of locks Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun. At the Miraflores locks (which are the closest to Panama City, about 20 minute ride) there is a visitors center, which allows tourists to observe the locks operation. The visitors center counts with small cinema that features a short video recounting the history of the canal, a 3-floor Museum of the Canal with lots of interesting information and artifacts, and a souvenir shop. Yet, the most exciting and memorable feature of the center is to watch the actual passing of the huge ocean-going ships through the canal from the distance of several feet.

The Canal Museum has quite a few interactive exhibits that kids will love, and be sure to ask for a kids color book at reception.

Ships cross the Canal under a strict schedule: going from the Pacific side to the Atlantic from midnight until noon, and from the Atlantic to Pacific, from noon until midnight. I highly recommend to call the visitor center in advance to check for the specific time ship(s) will be going through canal on that particular day. (#Kosher, #Panama, #PanamaCanal)