The Panama Canal

The construction of the Canal stands as an awe-inspiring achievement. This victory was made possible by an international force American note.
In 1534, Charles V of Spain ordered the first studiocanal route through the Isthmus of Panama. The French labored 20 years, beginning in 1880, but disease and financial problems defeated. In 1903, Panama and the United States signed a treaty by which theUnited States undertook the construction of a canal. U.S. purchased the Panama Canal rights and properties for $ 40 million and began construction. Completed in 10 years at a cost of about $ 387million. Since 1903, the United States has invested about $ 3 billion in the Canal enterprise, of which approximately two thirds were recovered.
The construction of the Panama Canal involved three mainproblems: engineering, sanitation and organization. Its successful completion was due to engineering and management skills of men such as John F. Stevens and Col. George W. Goethals, and the solution ofextensive health problems by Col. William C. Gorgas.
The engineering problems included digging through the Continental Divide, build the largest dam in the world at that time, design and build themost imposing canal locks ever envisioned, constructing the largest gates ever been suspended, and solve problems environmental daunting.
The Panama Canal Commission, a government agency of the UnitedStates, operated the Canal during the transition of 20 years beginning the first of October 1979.
The Republic of Panama assumed full responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance ofthe Panama Canal, Eastern Standard Time, and December 31, 1999. Panama meets its responsibilities through a government agency called the Panama Canal Authority, created by the Constitution of theRepublic of Panama.
Canal administration remains committed to global trade service standards of excellence that have been traditional in the waterway through its history. With prudent investments in...