1. PANAMA CANAL
By: GRAZELLE PASCUA & GRAYZEN

2. WHAT BODIES OF WATER DOES PANAMA CANAL CONNECT?
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

3. What countries are involved with the Panama Canal?
In 1903, when panama was a province of Columbia, the United States navy helped Panama win their country’s independence. Therefore, Panama gave the united states the right to build the canal and was finally opened in 1914.

4. What is the length and width of the strait?
The Panama Canal is 80 km/50 mi in length, with 12 locks; average width 150 m/492 ft. 48 mile- long (77 km)

5. To whom is this strait important and why?
The Panama Canal is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Ships from all around the world use this strait for trading good.

6. What would be the impact of closing the waterway?
The canal had an enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans(Atlantic and Pacific oceans) and without this strait, shipping’s would take much longer.

7. What is the strategic, military, or economic value of this strait?
13,000 ships moves through the Panama Canal per year.
It is also a gateway for the 2 oceans (Atlantic and Pacific).
This strait saves 8,000 miles journey around the southern tip of South America. Also saves money and fuel.
Unlike other straits, Ships have to pay to use this strait, depending on the size of the ship.

8. What moves through this strait today?
14,000 ships moves through this canal per year.
Common goods that are transported through the canal are crude oil and petroleum products, grains, coal, and coke. Pretty much everything was transported through this canal.

9. Cont.
All types of ships moves through this canal, such as cargo ships and military ships.

10. In what ways is this strait an advantage or disadvantage to the countries ?
Its completion changed the course of history by opening a worldwide trade route between Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In the 1900’s, ships have been built to dimensions that will allow them to pass through the canals locks.

11. How is this strait influenced by its physical geography?
Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
Its length from the deep waters of the Atlantic to the deep Pacific is 51 miles (82 km)

12. How is the strait influenced by its human geography?
12,000 workers had died during the construction of the Panama Railway.
Many of these deaths were due to disease, particularly yellow fever and malaria.

13. Cont.
construction on the Panama Railway had actually halted due to the lack of any healthy workers.