The Panama Canal

what is the Panama Canal?

The Panama Canal is a navigation route between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. This canal was made to make the road from one ocean to the othe ocean shorter and much more effective. This canal traverses the Isthmus of Panama at its narrowest point.

How does it works?

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/general/howitworks/recorrido.html

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/general/howitworks/operation.html

Some history about this canal 

·     In 1534 Carlos v the King from Spain wanted to connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

·      French people were the first ones making the first structures of the Panama Canal in 1880 with Ferdinand of Lesseps as the King. The diseases and the finances problems made the French abandon the construction. 

·      United States started working on the construction of the Panama Canal in 1904

·      More than 50000 people worked on this canal and 375 million dollars were invested during 10 years.

·      The Panama Canal was inaugurated on august 15 1914, with the pass of the “vapor ancon” Since this first transit through this canal more than 1000000 of boats have passed this important shortcut.

·      This canal was managed by United States from 1914 to 1999

·      On 31 December 1999, the canal passed into the hands of Panamanians because of the work they did with the Torrijos-Carter jobs.

·      Today the canal belongs to all Panamanians through the efforts and sacrifices of many people as the martyrs of the January 9, 1964

What happened this day?

Panamanians students disagreed with the idea of having United States people in their country ruling them. Panamanians agreed and decided to go to Balboa High School to raise their flag. Americans did not want this flag to be hoisted. A big fight started because of this. These fight ended with the deaths of 22 people and more than 500 injured, including the death of a 6 months baby. In Panama this day is called the day of the martyrs.