THE PANAMA CANAL What do you know about the Panama Canal? The Panama Canal is located in Central America, and connects the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea). It was built in the early 1900’s in order to create a shorter route for trade. efore the Panama Canal was built, merchants were forced to travel around the southern tip of South America, which took a very long time. Work on the Canal began in 1881, and the Canal was finished in 1914. The canal was originally built by the French, but the United States took over the construction after the French stopped working. President Roosevelt helped Panama become independent from Columbia in order to finish building the canal. The country of Panama now owns and operates the Canal, which cuts through its lands. Many workers died during the construction of the canal. Disease and environmental conditions were two reasons that workers did not survive. The Panama Canal was controlled by the United States after construction was finished. Eventually, control was given back to Panama. We still use the Panama Canal today to travel and trade goods. Over 14,000 large ships pass through the Canal each year now, carrying goods to trade or people on travel. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.