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