The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) long.
The canal is an important shipping route because it allows vessels to travel between the east and west coasts of North and South America without having to go around the entire continent. This saves time and fuel, and reduces the risk of storms and other hazards.
The canal consists of a series of locks, channels, and artificial lakes. Ships enter the canal at Colón on the Atlantic side and exit at Panama City on the Pacific side.
To pass through the canal, a ship first enters a lock chamber, which is a large basin with gates at each end. The chamber is filled with water, raising the ship to the level of the next section of the canal. The gates at the other end of the chamber are then opened, and the ship can continue on its way.
This process is repeated at a series of locks along the canal, with the ship being raised and lowered as it passes through different levels. The highest point of the canal is about 26 meters (85 feet) above sea level, and the lowest point is about 9 meters (30 feet) above sea level.
The canal also includes a number of artificial lakes and channels, which are used to control the flow of water and to provide a navigable route for ships.
In addition to the locks, the Panama Canal also has a system of gates and valves that control the flow of water through the canal. This system is used to maintain the correct water level in the canal and to ensure that the locks can function properly.
The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel that has greatly facilitated international trade and commerce. It is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, and millions of tons of cargo pass through it each year.
Source: Engineering and Architecture
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