THE PANAMA CANAL – EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD 

Most everyone has heard of the Seven Wonders of the World.  These include the Pyramids of Egypt, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus at Rhodes, and the Pharos of Alexandria but now, the Panama Canal is being called the Eighth Wonder of the World and for good reason. 

Located at the narrowest section of Central America on the Isthmus of Panama is the Panama Canal, which was constructed by the United States and then opened in 1914.  Although today we have new technology, without doubt the Panama Canal will remain one of the most impressive of all engineering accomplishments. The Canal was first built as a way of saving ships a long trip around Cape Horn while on the Atlantic Ocean just to reach land bordering on the Pacific Ocean and vice versa. 

Until December 31, 1999, the Panama Canal remained under the control of the United States but as of January 1, 2000, Panama assumed full responsibility and ownership.  Stretching out over 50 miles, every year there are more than 12,000 ships that pass through, ranging from cruise ships to oil tankers and everything in between. 

The design of the Canal includes three, distinct sets of locks that work by lifting and lowering ships a full 85 feet to the next stage of the passage.  For example, on the Atlantic side, the locks are called Gatun Locks and then on the Pacific side, the Pedro Miguel and Mira Flores locks.  Each lock has a chamber that is 110 feet wide by 1,000 feet long.  In addition, the locks are filled with water that comes from the Gatun Lake, which is manmade and used for damming the Chagares River. 

As mentioned, the three locks work as giant elevators.  As the ship goes into the first stage, it is lifted slowly to the level of the Gatun Lake, which is approximately 100 feet above sea level.  Then when the ship reaches the other side of the isthmus, it is again lowered back down.  For one ship to pass through the Panama Canal, it takes between eight and ten hours.  If you are planning a visit to Panama, this is truly a wonder to see.  

You can take a boat cruise that will take you around and through the Canal so you can experience it firsthand.  Additional highlights of the cruise would include the Canal locks, as the boat you ride in is lifted and lowered by the complex system.  You will also have the opportunity to sail through 23 miles on the Gatun Lake, which is surrounded by beautiful rainforests and several charming islands. 

Then, the boat cruise will take you through an eight and one-half mile section of the Canal known as Gillard Cut.  Here, you will discover the Canal was blasted out of solid rock, which was by far the most challenging section to complete.  Finally, the trip will take you to Limon Bay, which is a six-mile stretch of water that measures 450 feet wide.  From this vantage point, you will have a gorgeous view of mangroves at sea level.