At one time or another everyone has made lists of their favorite places to visit. For some the bulk will be made from places that they have already been to, while for others it will be places that they want to go to. It seems as though such things are known as bucket lists. Something curious is noted when these people are asked about their lists, one destination is often repeated in various different lists. Who would have realized that so many people have Panama Canal travel plans.
There are plenty of different trips available, and they are of different durations. So you will be sure to be able to find one that fits in with your busy schedule. Despite its popularity as a destination there will be those who have never heard of it, or will be unaware of what it has to offer for the intrepid tourist.
So if you look in an atlas you will find Central America, it is the thin bits of land which join North and South America together. It is acting as a land bridge. Although if you were to go back in time it was completely submerged. It also separates the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean.
Even the early explorers dreamed of a possible short cut between these two massive bodies of water, as they were only about 50 miles apart. Without that short cut they had a journey which was increased by 1000's of miles. Not only that but they also had to transit the rough seas near the bottom part of South America. Today this short cut is an extremely busy shipping route.
The first serious attempt to construct a channel linking the two oceans was begun by the French. It was started in the 1880's and the overseer was none other than Ferdinand De Lesseps. Don't be surprised if the name sounds familiar as he was the engineer in charge of another similar project. That one provided a link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
With this new project the French managed to dig approximately 11 miles of the required 51 miles. They had to abandon the project due to a combination of engineering problems, disease and financial difficulties. The next to pick up the project were the Americans in 1904, who also bought the existing equipment from the French.
The Americans literally employed 1000's of people during their involvement. Finally ten years later they finished the whole project. It was possibly the decision to use lock gates which enabled them to successfully finish the task. Now it only takes 9 hours to go from one ocean to the other, and takes in all 3 sets of locks. If you do only a partial transit then you will only see a single set of locks.
So if the Americans took over the project in 1904 and it took a further 10 years to complete, the year of completion must have been 1914. Most of you will have worked out that this means that the amazing project celebrates its centenary next year. Surely that will be an ideal time to take in your Panama Canal travel. There are so many different types of tours available, that people often feel spoilt for choice and do a different tour each year. It is small wonder that it was referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.
There are plenty of different trips available, and they are of different durations. So you will be sure to be able to find one that fits in with your busy schedule. Despite its popularity as a destination there will be those who have never heard of it, or will be unaware of what it has to offer for the intrepid tourist.
So if you look in an atlas you will find Central America, it is the thin bits of land which join North and South America together. It is acting as a land bridge. Although if you were to go back in time it was completely submerged. It also separates the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean.
Even the early explorers dreamed of a possible short cut between these two massive bodies of water, as they were only about 50 miles apart. Without that short cut they had a journey which was increased by 1000's of miles. Not only that but they also had to transit the rough seas near the bottom part of South America. Today this short cut is an extremely busy shipping route.
The first serious attempt to construct a channel linking the two oceans was begun by the French. It was started in the 1880's and the overseer was none other than Ferdinand De Lesseps. Don't be surprised if the name sounds familiar as he was the engineer in charge of another similar project. That one provided a link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
With this new project the French managed to dig approximately 11 miles of the required 51 miles. They had to abandon the project due to a combination of engineering problems, disease and financial difficulties. The next to pick up the project were the Americans in 1904, who also bought the existing equipment from the French.
The Americans literally employed 1000's of people during their involvement. Finally ten years later they finished the whole project. It was possibly the decision to use lock gates which enabled them to successfully finish the task. Now it only takes 9 hours to go from one ocean to the other, and takes in all 3 sets of locks. If you do only a partial transit then you will only see a single set of locks.
So if the Americans took over the project in 1904 and it took a further 10 years to complete, the year of completion must have been 1914. Most of you will have worked out that this means that the amazing project celebrates its centenary next year. Surely that will be an ideal time to take in your Panama Canal travel. There are so many different types of tours available, that people often feel spoilt for choice and do a different tour each year. It is small wonder that it was referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.
