The Geography of Panama and the Panama Canal

468 Words1 Page

The Geography of Panama and the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is one of the greatest works of engineering and

modern achievements of mankind. An all-water passage through the

continental divide of the Panama region had been suggested since early

Spanish colonial times of the 16th century. Today a canal that was cut

through the Isthmus of Panama is a reality. It's presence has greatly

affected Panama in many ways, politically, economically, and socially.

The Panama Canal is possibly one of the most well known man made

geographic features ever.

Only five days after the U.S. secured Panama's independence from

Columbia, the first canal treaty was signed with the United States.

Signing the treaty for Panama was Frenchman Philippe Bunau-Varilla,

who was interested in selling the remaining assets of the French

company that had earlier tried to build the canal. When the canal

opened Panamanians were upset that they could not exercise sovereignty

over the canal. They could not tax it, license it, or direct it, since

it did no...

Open Document