Panama canal is a very important 50 mile long artificial waterway in Panama which connects the Atlantic & Pacific ocean.
Here are 10 facts about the Panama canal that many people don’t know!
The Panama Canal is considered one of the modern wonders of the world, and it is a feat of engineering that took over 10 years to complete.
The canal was built by the United States of America, and it was officially opened on August 15, 1914. The first ship to transit was SS Ancon.
The construction of the Panama Canal involved the excavation of over 200 million cubic meters of earth and rock.
The Panama Canal is owned and operated by the Panama canal authority, a Panamanian government agency.
The Panama Canal is one of the most vital trade routes, with about 14,000 ships passing through it each year.
The canal is a major source of revenue for Panama, with tolls collected from ships passing through it making up a significant portion of the country's GDP.
The canal is a major employer in Panama, with over 9,000 people working in various capacities related to its operation.
The Panama Canal is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including over 500 species of birds and numerous species of fish and reptiles.
Officially 5609 workers died building the panama canal but in reality more than 25,000 workers lost their lives during its construction.
Despite being one of the most impressive feats of engineering in history, the canal was constructed without the use of heavy machinery, such as bulldozers or cranes.