The Panama Canal is an important shipping route that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It is about 82 kilometers (51 miles) long and saves ships a lot of time and distance when traveling. For example, ships sailing from Los Angeles to New York save about 8,000 miles (or 22 days of journey) by using the canal instead of going around South America.
How does the canal work? It uses a system of locks to lift and lower ships across Gatun Lake, which is 26 meters (85 feet) above sea level. Every time a ship passes through, it uses around 200 million liters (53 million gallons) of fresh water. The canal is not just important for shipping; it also provides money for the country of Panama.
A Brief History
The idea for the Panama Canal began in the 1530s when Spanish colonizers thought about it. But serious work didn’t start until the late 1800s. In 1878, Colombia, which then governed Panama, made a deal with French engineers to build the canal. Unfortunately, they failed, and many workers died from diseases.
In 1903, after Colombia turned down a U.S. proposal, the U.S. helped Panama become independent. Shortly after, Panama signed a treaty giving the U.S. control over the canal for $10 million and annual payments of $250,000. Many Panamanians felt this took away their rights.
American workers, many of whom were Afro-Panamanian, finished building the canal in 1914, but not without losing more than 5,000 lives. The canal became very important for military and trade, especially during World War II.
The Handover to Panama
Throughout the 20th century, the canal caused tension between Panama and the U.S., especially after the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956. Many people in Panama wanted full control over the canal. In 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed treaties that allowed Panama to take control of the canal, which finally happened on December 31, 1999.
Recent Events
Recently, due to climate change and drought, water levels in the canal’s lakes have dropped. This has led to higher fees for ships passing through.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently stirred up controversy by suggesting that the U.S. might take back control of the canal. He claimed Panama was charging too much and that China had become too influential in the area. Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, rejected this idea fiercely, stating that the canal belongs to Panama and no one else.
Since gaining control in 1999, Panama has modernized the canal and completed an expansion in 2016 to allow larger ships to use it. Trump’s comments highlight ongoing tensions regarding the canal and its importance in global trade.
In summary, the Panama Canal is a symbol of historical conflict and global trade power. Even though Trump’s threats seem unlikely to happen, they stress how significant this waterway remains in international relations.
