Transcript Panama Canal

Panama Canal
Why is it Important?
• From the time Christopher Columbus
discovered the new world and Vasco
Nunez de Balboa first sighted the Pacific
Ocean, nations around the globe
envisioned severing the American
continents to create a shorter route
between East and West.
http://panamacanalmuseum.org/index.php
What is a canal?
• : an artificial waterway for
navigation or for draining
or irrigating land. MerriamWebster Online Dictionary.
2009
Benefits and Key Facts
• Shorter Trip from
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Atlantic to Pacific
Allows Boats to travel
Lower Cost & Time
– Produce gets to
market sooner
• 51 Miles
• Panama – Central
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America
Safer / Less Storms
Bill Nye on Canals
• What is an isthmus?
• Why build a canal
through the Isthmus
of Panama?
• What is an isthmus?
• Why build a canal
through the Isthmus
of Panama? Shorter
Route (distance)
The Land is
Not Flat!
It Wasn’t Easy!
• Think the
technology
was the same
as today?
History of the Panama Canal
• In the late 1800’s, the French began work on the Panama canal.
• Over 22,000 workers died due to poor conditions, yellow fever and
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malaria.
The French abandoned the idea, saying it was impossible to build.
In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt bought out the French, along with
their equipment and materials and the United States Army began
work on the Canal. The canal took 10 years to build.
As a payment for the United States helping Panama win a war
with Columbia, Panama paid the United States back by giving
them control over the Panama Canal Zone.
After protest by the people of Panama, in 1974, the United States
President, gave Panama control of the canal.
http://panamacanalmuseum.org/index.php/timeline/
Time-Lapse through the Canal
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA-
pnN54uPw&src_vid=vi19z4LEi0&feature=iv&annotation_id=an
notation_655031
What is the significance of the Panama
Canal as it relates to the economy?
A. Trade increased between European and Central
American countries
B. It promoted an agricultural economy in Central
America
C. Trade increased between countries along the
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
D. Led to conflicts between countries wanting to
control the canal
Interesting Facts about the Panama Canal
• First ground broken by French
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• Amount of water filling each lock
January 1, 1880
Amount of money spent by the French •
$260,000,000
Number of lives lost during French
•
control 20,000
Amount United States paid French for
their rights and property
•
$40,000,000
Amount United States paid Panama for •
Canal Zone $10,000,000
Work began by the United States May •
4, 1904
First ship through the Canal
•
September 26, 1913
Length of Canal from Atlantic to Pacific •
51 miles
Time to transit Canal 8-10 hours
Number of ships crossing daily 40
Number of ships crossing each year
12-15 thousand
52 million gallons
Estimated cost of the Panama
Canal built by
U.S. $375,000,000
Number of lives lost during
United States control 5,609
Toll charge for Disney Magic
cruise ship in 2008 $313,200
Average rainfall on Atlantic side
130 inches
Average rainfall on Pacific side
70 inches
Estimated cost for expansion of
the Panama Canal $5.25 billion
Estimated year of completion of
expansion 2014
Panama Web
• The 1900’s are referred to • Sub topics should
as the 20th Century.
– Create a Web, with the
Panama Canal as the Main
Idea, that illustrates
characteristics of the canal
and how it benefited(s)
trade between countries in
the 20th century and today.
include:
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Location
Why build it?
Benefits of the Canal
What are some other
areas that it is
beneficial?
• Give characteristics for
each sub topic.