Panama and the Big Canal
by Cecilia Gonzalez, posted on 2009-03-04 19:36:49By Cecilia Gonzalez
My Dad was telling me the other day that he wanted to go to the Panama Canal. It seemed a little strange to me at the time because, really, who wants to go see a big canal? I imagined a larger version of the canals I pass along the freeways here in Southern California. Big Deal!! Well, sadly, like always, I found I was mistaken. I found that it is the self-proclaimed Eighth Wonder of the World.
A little bit of history on it first: the first attempt in building it in 1880 by the French failed and 21,900 workers died, it was later attempted and completed by the US, with the canal opening in 1914. By the time the canal was completed, a total of 27,500 workers died. Pobresitos! The canal eliminates a total of 14,000 miles that a vessel would have to travel to get around from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
Ships take about 8 to 10 hours to pass through the Canal. They are amazingly lifted step- by-step to a height of 85-feet in three sets of locks. So, as the ships travel through the canal, they are lifted up by water from sea level to Gatun Lake and then they are lowered to sea level again. Can you imagine?! Those are some really big ships! Gatun Lake is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. It covers an area of more than 163 square miles. As you travel through the lake you can see a bunch of small islands, which are really the tops of former jungle hills. Neat, huh?
Okay, so now you know! Now to the other cool stuff about Panama.
Did you know there are 1500 islands around the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans off of Panama? Those are the islands that you see on calendars, magazines and posters, with their clear turquoise waters, sandy white beaches, ooh papi! As I type this I can feel the sand between my toes.
The dollar has been the legal tender since 1904, also, for us compradoras they accept all major credit cards and have ATMs all over the country, making us feel at home.
Wow, and Miami is only 3 hours away!
Most of the islands off of Panama are deserted and others are inhabited by indigenous people that still live in their same traditional style of living as in the 1800s.
For more information, visit www.panamainfo.com.
Comments from members1 comment |
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| hi, thank you for sharing your outstanding experience with us , the video is amazing to watch also attracts many visitors.
Riviera Maya |
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| - shrihari pataskar | |
