Wht is the importance of the Panama Canal?

Answer 1

It has had an enormous impact on shipping between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, obviating the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. A ship sailing from New York to San Francisco via the canal travels 9,500 kilometres (6,000 mi), well under half the distance of the previous 22,500 kilometre (14,000 mi) route around Cape Horn.[1]

Although the concept of a canal in Panama dates back to the early 16th century, the first attempt to construct a canal began in 1880 under French leadership. After this attempt collapsed, the work was finally completed by the United States, and the canal opened in 1914.The building of the 77 kilometre (48 mi) canal was plagued by problems, including disease (particularly malaria and yellow fever) and landslides. As many as 27,500 workers are estimated to have died during construction of the canal.

Answer 2

It enables ships to pass between N and S America without haveing to go around Cape Horn. Makes the travel much shorter.

Answer 3

What the first two people said but yeah it's a shorter route and cape horn is hard to travel around it's very stormy and it's right by Antarctica which means the travel is very cold. But also U.S. wanted to be in Latin America like to have something of theirs in Latin America to become a world power...........hoped i helped

Answer 4

It's a pretty good shortcut for ships.

Answer 5

omg to save time & money silly person.