PANAMA CANAL, Panama--Known as mules, these small track engines help ships move into the locks of the Panama Canal. Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal is a crucial shipping lane between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that mean that ships don't have to go around the bottom of South America or over the top of Canada. The Canal was originally built and owned by the United States but was handed back to Panama in 1999.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Panama Canal, an iconic feat of engineering, was completed in 1914 and remains one of the most significant waterways in the world. Spanning approximately 50 miles across the Isthmus of Panama, it connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, dramatically reducing the travel time for ships and revolutionizing global trade. The canal's construction was a monumental task, involving the excavation of millions of cubic meters of earth and the implementation of an advanced lock system. These locks, a defining feature of the canal, lift and lower vessels about 85 feet, allowing them to navigate the elevation changes of the Continental Divide. The canal has undergone numerous expansions and upgrades to accommodate larger vessels and increased traffic, including the notable Panama Canal Expansion project completed in 2016. This expansion introduced a new set of locks, doubling the canal's capacity. The Panama Canal is not only a critical component of international maritime trade but also a significant tourist attraction, drawing visitors interested in its history, operations, and engineering. The canal's impact on global commerce and its role in shaping the economic landscape of Panama underscore its importance as a key infrastructure project of the 20th century.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Panama City, Panama, Panama
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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