subject: Panama Canal: One Of The Seven Wonders [print this page] Panama Canal, the canal across the Isthmus of Panama in Central America which unites the two great oceans is an unmatchable engineering accomplishment. It took twenty years for the French Labourers to complete the construction of the canal which was started in the year 1880.The work on this grand masterpiece was done under the guidance of American visionaries. The first survey for this route was ordered by Charles I of Spain. The construction of the Panama Canal is grand and admirable.
In the year 1903 a treaty was signed between United States and Panama for building an inter-oceanic ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama. A year later United States acquired from the French Canal Company its rights and properties which amounted to $40 million and thus the construction began. This project colossal project was finished in 10 years. United States has invested around $3 billion in the Canal enterprise since the year 1903.
There were several problems which were encountered during the construction of the Panama Canal like engineering problem which includes digging through the continental Divide. John F. Stevens and Col. George W. Goethals are the names behind the successful construction of the canal. The Panama Canal allows the vessels to travel easily through Pacific and Antarctic Ocean. This canal consists of some artificial lakes and channel. It cuts through the most populated region of Panama and has been an issue of dispute between American and Panamanian government. This is the largest and the most complex project of its kind undertaken by any country.
An American government agency, The Panama Canal Commission is responsible for the operation of the Canal during the twenty year transition period. This Commission is administer by a bi-national board comprising of 9 members. A U.S. citizen served as Administrator for the first ten years, and a Panamanian was made the Deputy Officer. But since 1990, according to the treaty this responsibility was shouldered to a Panamanian who later served as Administrator.
The former Panama Canal Company together with the Canal Zone and its government was terminated on October 1, 1979. America is supposed to transfer the Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999, as mentioned in the treaty. The Canal will be operational for all economic transportation which takes place on this oceanic route. The Commission remains committed towards serving world trade with the standards of excellence that have been the custom of the waterway since ages.
by: alivia.martin@yahoo.in
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