The Panama Canal, one of the 20th Centuries greatest engineering achievements. This not so humble piece of infrastructure connects 160 countries and 1,700 ports across the planet.
Officially opened on 15th August 1914, the Panama Canal is an American-built waterway across the Isthmus of Panama. The canal is a 50-mile long passage connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans enabling shipping to "shortcut" between the two. Before the opening of the canal, ships would need to make the treacherous route around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. The canal, which uses a system of locks to lift ships 85 feet above sea level, was the largest engineering project of its time.
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