Panama Canal Is Traversed
The Panama Canal is a significant artificial waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitating global maritime trade. The canal's construction was a monumental engineering feat, marked by its first successful passage on January 7, 1914, by the vessel Alex. La Valley. The canal's origins trace back to numerous proposals over the centuries, including early designs by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in the 16th century. However, it took until the early 20th century for the project to come to fruition, primarily driven by the efforts of the United States. The canal drastically reduces travel time for ships, eliminating the long and perilous journey around the southern tip of South America. Its strategic importance has made it a vital route for international shipping and trade, influencing global commerce and geopolitics. The Panama Canal remains a remarkable symbol of engineering and a key contributor to the economic development of Panama and the world.
On this Page
Panama Canal Is Traversed
Panama Canal Is Traversed
On January 7, 1914, the vessel Alex. La Valley made the first passage through the Panama Canal, marking the first use of this important international trade route. Numerous plans to build a canal across the Isthmus of Panama had been proposed, beginning with designs by the 16th-century Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, but it would be another 400 years before it was finally completed, by the United States.