Geography Of course we know that the Panama Canal is one of the major water transportation routes interconnecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.He crossed the isthmus of the same name in its very lowest part.As a result of titanic work it was significantly reduced sea route between many ports, for example, from San Francisco to New York from 24 300 km to 10 700 km.Panama Canal (opening year 1914 th) has a length of 81 km, and the time of its passage is about eight hours.
This channel, along with Kiel and Suez, has an international status and can be used only in strict accordance with the norms of international law and universally recognized principles and national laws of the country it belongs to.He was already 95 years old.But the Panama Canal was conceived (opening year 1914, although the first listed) in the early sixteenth century.
In the period from 1534 to 1823 the idea of building it occupied the minds of the Spanish government.It has repeatedly conducted extensive research in the area, make plans of / construction of the canal, it is important for everyone crossing the isthmus.In 1814, the year the Spaniards, even from a distance corresponding decree.But in 1823 they lost all its colonies in South and Central America, and have abandoned their plans.The next 50 years, researches and projects engaged the British, Americans, French and Dutch.In the end, the exclusive right of construction and the concession for 99 years, received a French company.It happened in 1876, and three years later the company is taken over by a diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, a civil engineer of the Suez Canal open to maritime traffic a little earlier - November 17, 1869.
Lesseps company later went bankrupt, was appointed receivership, and in 1904 the company was sold to the US government for $ 40 million.The Americans agreed with Panama on eternal lease area of the channel, and the construction of the object Panama Canal.Opening year, 1914 th, marked the end of the 11-year effort and exhausting labors, and showed how much it cost the state to implement the ideas.The sum was named considerable - 220 million dollars.
The result is a six-step transition through the gateway from the port of the Isthmus of Panama Cristobal on the Atlantic to the port of Balboa on the Pacific coast, in the direction from the northwest to the southeast.The length of the channel, as mentioned, 80 km, of which 42 - artificial channel gateways.The length of the lock chambers is 305 meters, width - 33 and a half.These dimensions allow to pass 85% of the currently exploited merchant ships around the world.
first ship passed through the Isthmus on 15 August 1914, but the official opening of the Panama Canal on 12 June 1920, after which he joined the full-bodied structure.
Now the court were spared from having to go around Cape Horn and the Strait of Magellan, so have changed the most important sea routes.Year of opening of the Panama Canal was the beginning of a new era in navigation in the region.2-3 times Reduce the distance between the west and east coasts of Canada and the US, between the Far East and the United States, between the countries of the Latin America.
Back in the 20s of the last century was the Panama Canal attempt to transfer under its jurisdiction.This process took place in stages, for many years, and was completed only 31 December 1999, when the Panama Canal (opening year 1914 is the first, that is. E. After 85 years) gained a full and effective independence.
