The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway across the Isthmus of Panama that connects the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) to the Pacific Ocean. It enables ships to shorten transoceanic routes, avoiding the long and perilous voyage around the southern tip of South America. Construction and key dates

• Initial efforts: A French-led attempt to build a sea-level canal began in 1881 under Ferdinand de Lesseps but failed due to engineering, financial, and health problems, culminating in 1889.
• U.S. involvement: The United States took over construction in 1904, under a plan that included building locks and artificial lakes to elevate and lower ships. The project was completed and the canal officially opened on August 15, 1914.
• Handover to Panama: Control of the canal transitioned from the United States to Panama between 1977 and 1999, with full sovereignty over the canal and its operations transferring to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) by December 31, 1999.

Notes on operation and importance

• The canal uses a lock system at each end to lift ships up to Gatun Lake and then lower them back down, allowing vessels to traverse from ocean to ocean. It significantly reduces travel distance and time for international shipping and has been a central artery of global trade since its opening.
• The canal underwent a major expansion completed in the 2010s to accommodate larger ships (often referred to as "New Panamax" or "Neopanamax" vessels), increasing overall capacity and permitting bigger cargo tonnage.

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