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Questions and Answers
What was one of the significant reasons for U.S. involvement in the construction of the Panama Canal?
What was one of the significant reasons for U.S. involvement in the construction of the Panama Canal?
Which engineering innovation was crucial for the function of the Panama Canal?
Which engineering innovation was crucial for the function of the Panama Canal?
How long does it typically take for a ship to pass through the Panama Canal?
How long does it typically take for a ship to pass through the Panama Canal?
What was the cost of constructing the Panama Canal in modern currency?
What was the cost of constructing the Panama Canal in modern currency?
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Which of the following diseases was significantly reduced due to sanitation improvements during the canal's construction?
Which of the following diseases was significantly reduced due to sanitation improvements during the canal's construction?
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What is Gatun Lake primarily used for in relation to the Panama Canal?
What is Gatun Lake primarily used for in relation to the Panama Canal?
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What was one of the outcomes of the French attempts to build the Panama Canal in the 19th century?
What was one of the outcomes of the French attempts to build the Panama Canal in the 19th century?
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What is the main function of the locks in the Panama Canal?
What is the main function of the locks in the Panama Canal?
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What is an isthmus?
What is an isthmus?
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What is the purpose of Gatun Lake?
What is the purpose of Gatun Lake?
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What are locks?
What are locks?
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Which river supplies water for the Panama Canal?
Which river supplies water for the Panama Canal?
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What is the Gaillard Cut?
What is the Gaillard Cut?
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Who pushed for the construction of the Panama Canal?
Who pushed for the construction of the Panama Canal?
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What does 'sanitation' refer to?
What does 'sanitation' refer to?
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What was the purpose of the Expansion Project?
What was the purpose of the Expansion Project?
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The early efforts to build the Panama Canal by the French were very successful.
The early efforts to build the Panama Canal by the French were very successful.
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The Panama Canal took almost twice as long to complete as originally planned.
The Panama Canal took almost twice as long to complete as originally planned.
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The original route for ships traveling to the Pacific Ocean was significantly faster than the route using the Panama Canal.
The original route for ships traveling to the Pacific Ocean was significantly faster than the route using the Panama Canal.
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The canal was constructed without any concerns about the environmental impact.
The canal was constructed without any concerns about the environmental impact.
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How much longer is the original route for ships traveling from New York to California compared to the new route using the Panama Canal?
How much longer is the original route for ships traveling from New York to California compared to the new route using the Panama Canal?
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The canal was built with advanced technology that was not available at the time.
The canal was built with advanced technology that was not available at the time.
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What is the name of the disease that plagued workers during the canal's construction?
What is the name of the disease that plagued workers during the canal's construction?
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Study Notes
Panama Canal
- A narrow strip of land connecting two large areas, like Panama, is an isthmus
- A man-made lake, Gatun Lake, helps ships cross the canal
- Locks are water chambers that elevate or lower ships between different elevation levels
- The Chagres River supplies water to the canal
- The Gaillard (Culebra) Cut is a challenging section of the canal that cuts through mountains
- Theodore Roosevelt pushed for the construction of the Panama Canal
- Sanitation was important to prevent disease during construction
- The 2007 expansion project upgraded the canal to handle larger ships and conserve water
- Multiple attempts to build the canal were made in the past, before US control
- The U.S. took control of the canal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- The canal's innovative engineering, including Gatun Lake and locks, helped complete the project in 1914
- Modern expansions continue to ensure the canal's relevance today
Canal History and Effort
- Explorers sought to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for faster trade since the 1500s
- French attempts in the 19th century led by Ferdinand de Lesseps failed due to disease, financial issues, and engineering challenges
- Theodore Roosevelt wanted the U.S. to build the canal for strategic reasons.
- The U.S. supported Panama's independence from Colombia to gain control of the canal zone.
Engineering Innovations
- Engineers changed from a sea-level design to a lake and lock system
- Gatun Lake and locks were created to manage elevation differences
- Sanitation improvements helped reduce diseases like yellow fever
Canal Facts
- The canal is 50 miles long and 500-1000 ft wide
- Ships take about 25 hours to travel through the canal
- Around 35-38 ships pass through the canal daily
- The original route was 14,000 miles, now 5,900 miles.
- It saved 43 days from New York to California
- The original construction cost was $922 million but is now $8.4 billion
- Over 27,000 people died during construction.
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Description
Explore the fascinating history and engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. This quiz covers its geographical features, construction challenges, and key historical figures, including Theodore Roosevelt. Test your knowledge on the canal's significance in global trade and its expansions.
