The idea of building a canal across the Isthmus of Panama dates back to the 16th century when people first recognised the advantage of building a canal which would avoid having to sail around Cape Horn in South America. It was not until 1880, however, that the French made an attempt to build a canal across this stretch of water. Unfortunately the attempt failed miserably due to high costs, with over 22,000 workers dying from malaria and yellow fever. The United States began construction work in 1904, employing nearly 75,000 men and women to build the canal, which opened to traffic ten years later in 1915. Today, the 80km (50 mile) canal still stands as one of the most important engineering feats in the world, providing passage for over 12,000 ships every year. An open-air balcony at Miraflores Locks offers visitors good views of the electrical locomotives or ‘mules’ pulling giant ships through as the water levels are balanced.

Panama Canal Authority, PO Box 5413, Miami, FL 33102, USA
Tel: 272 3165 or 272 3202 (in Panama)
Website: www.pancanal.com

Air: Tocument International Airport. Road: Coach: Many private companies operate coach tours to the canal (from Panama City). Car: Corredor Sur Highway to central Panama City, then through the Albrook Residential and Commercial Area, and right to Miraflores Locks (from Tocument International Airport).

Instituto Panameño de Turismo (IPAT) (Institute of Tourism)
Apartado 4421, Centro de Convenciones ATLAPA, Vía Israel, Panamá 5, Republic of Panamá
Tel: 226 7000 or 226 4614/3164. Fax: 226 5046.
E-mail: ggral@ns.ipat.gob.pa (general) or infotur@ns.ipat.gob.pa
Website: www.ipat.gob.pa
Embassy of Panama
40 Hertford Street, London W1J 7SH, UK
Tel: (020) 7493 4646. Fax: (020) 7493 4333. E-mail: emb.pan@lineone.net

Panama