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You are here: Home / Geography / Why Was the Panama Canal Built and How Did It Impact Shipping Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?

Why Was the Panama Canal Built and How Did It Impact Shipping Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?

June 23, 2020 by Karen Hill

The Panama Canal was built because it provided a much needed shortcut for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Before the canal was built, ships had to sail around the southern tip of South America, taking them thousands of miles out of their way through dangerous waters.

The Panama Canal connects the Caribbean and the North Pacific Ocean, making it possible for ships to go from the Atlantic to the Pacific without rounding the southern tip of South America.

The concept of a canal near Panama dates to the early 16th century.

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  • How does the Panama Canal connect the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean?
  • How Long Is the Panama Canal and When Was the Panama Canal Controlled By the United States?
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Filed Under: Geography

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « Which Highway Runs From North America Through Central America and Into South America?
Next Post: In Which Directions Do Ships Travel When They Pass Through the Panama Canal? »

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