By Dwight Malone
The Panama Canal is located in Panama and is one of the largest engineering projects ever. The canal, which opened in 1914, joins the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and has had a major impact on the shipping industry; vessels no longer had to take the significantly longer route around
South America's southernmost tip.
Passing Through the Canal
For an average cargo ship, it takes between 8 and 10 hours to travel through the canal.
Tolls
Ships traveling through the canal must pay tolls, with the dollar amount depending on the type and size of the ship.
Huge Cargo Demands
It was estimated that 80 million tons of cargo per year would be the canal's capacity, but in 2008, more than 309 million tons of cargo traveled the canal.
Locks
The Panama Canal has three sets of locks, with each one being 1,000 feet long and having thickness of 6.6 feet.
A Deadly Toll
There were many problems encountered during the construction of the canal, including landslides and outbreaks of disease. It is estimated that 27,000 workers died during construction.
About the Author:
Dwight Malone is a journalist who has worked for various Chicago-area newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune" and "Naperville Sun." He has been a writer, editor and graphic designer since 2000. Malone studied journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
