The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most important shipping routes in the world, allowing vessels to save thousands of miles of travel by avoiding the long journey around the southern tip of South America.
Length: Approximately 82 km (51 miles) Opened: 1914 Significance: Facilitates international trade and global shipping; roughly 12–14% of the world’s trade passes through it each year.
The canal has a series of locks that raise and lower ships to navigate the differing sea levels between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 2016, a major expansion project was completed, allowing larger vessels known as New Panamax ships to pass through, greatly increasing the canal’s capacity.
The Panama Canal is managed by the Panama Canal Authority, a Panamanian government agency responsible for operations, maintenance, and toll collection