Panama canal route connects the Atlantic ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. The Panama Canal was inaugaurated on August 15, 1914. Though the idea of construction of canal was initiated in 16th century. Yet it took so long period to implement it. The main reason for this delay was that the land of Panama corridor was so hilly that it was very difficult to overcome this obstacle.
The average length, width, depth of the canal is 82 km 90 meter and 12 meter. Sea part of the canal is 26 meter high from the sea level.
There are three locks in it:
- Lock near the Atlantic Coast (gatun locks).
- Padromiguel lock in the middle.
- Miraflores lock near the Pacific Coast.
Importance of panama canal are:
1. By passing through this canal, the distance between New York and San Francisco is reduced by 13000 km as compared to the Cape Horn distance.
2. The distance between San Francisco and New Orleans through Panama Canal is 9000 km and distance between New York to Sydeny is reduced by 6500 km and the distance from Valparaiso (Chile) to New York is reduced by almost 6000 km.
