Panama Canal: A watery shortcut that changed the world!

The Panama Canal is a human-made waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the Isthmus of Panama. The idea of a canal across Panama had been floating around for centuries, but it was not until the late 19th century that the United States finally took on the project. The construction of the canal was a massive undertaking, but it was finally completed in 1914.
The Panama Canal has been a major shipping route ever since it was completed. It has played a vital role in world trade and commerce. In fact, the canal is so important that it has been called the "Gateway to the Americas."
The canal is about 51 miles long, which is not very long at all. However, the trip to get from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean used to take ships about 1500 miles around the southern tip of South America. So, although the Canal is not very long, it has made global travel much faster.
The canal is also a popular tourist destination. Visitors can take boat tours through the canal, or they can visit the Panama Canal Museum. The museum has exhibits on the history of the canal, as well as on its construction and operation.