The document provides information about the history and construction of the Panama Canal. It describes early efforts by the Spanish and French to build a canal across the Isthmus of Panama in the 1500s and 1800s. The French began construction in 1881 but the project failed after 20,000 workers died and it cost $287 million. The United States took over the project in 1904 and opened the canal in 1914, which shortened ocean travel times significantly. Building the canal presented enormous challenges due to the tropical climate and terrain.

1. Panaroma ofPanaroma of
PanamaPanama
Panama canal, the “eight wonderPanama canal, the “eight wonder
of the Modern of World “of the Modern of World “
Tushar Shah 9/5/2015Tushar Shah 9/5/2015

2. If a canal wereIf a canal were
built where thebuilt where the
land betweenland between
North AmericaNorth America
and Southand South
America isAmerica is
narrowest--narrowest--
acrossacross
Panama--itPanama--it
could shortencould shorten
the trip bythe trip by
nearly 8,000nearly 8,000
miles.miles.
ShortcutShortcut

3. Panaroma of PanamaPanaroma of Panama
• Panama Canal : Transit, history and expansionPanama Canal : Transit, history and expansion
• San Blas IslandSan Blas Island
• Boquete,Boquete, Sendero Los QuetzalesSendero Los Quetzales
• Gamboa soberania national park
• Chagress Rain Forest : Wild life
• Historical casco viejo ( another Havana)
• Panama city ; Dubai or Singapore of Central AmericaPanama city ; Dubai or Singapore of Central America
• Panama Folk dancePanama Folk dance
• Indigenous people ;Indigenous people ; Guna, Embera-Wounaan, Ngobe Bugle
• People, cuisine

4. Panama is anPanama is an isthmusisthmus,, a narrow strip ofa narrow strip of
land which has water on each side andland which has water on each side and
connects two larger bodies of land.connects two larger bodies of land.
Isthmus of PanamaIsthmus of Panama

5. So your family decides toSo your family decides to
send the clothes by shipsend the clothes by ship
around the tip of Southaround the tip of South
America. The trip canAmerica. The trip can
easily take two months,easily take two months,
and many ships (like theand many ships (like the
Olympia,Olympia, pictured) arepictured) are
destroyed by terribledestroyed by terrible
storms at Cape Horn.storms at Cape Horn.
Rounding the HoRounding the Hornrn

6. Shortcut to San FranciscoShortcut to San Francisco
After looking at these pictures what doAfter looking at these pictures what do
you think would be the challenges ofyou think would be the challenges of
trying to build a canal through a tropicaltrying to build a canal through a tropical
jungle and mountains?jungle and mountains?

7. A tropical jungle mayA tropical jungle may
be a fascinatingbe a fascinating
place for scientists toplace for scientists to
work, but forwork, but for
workers trying to buildworkers trying to build
a canal it’s aa canal it’s a
nightmare. Imaginenightmare. Imagine
trying to dig outtrying to dig out
tons of dirt in a jungletons of dirt in a jungle
like this. Andlike this. And
there was no insectthere was no insect
repellent to keeprepellent to keep
the bugs from biting.the bugs from biting.
Panama rain forestPanama rain forest

8. Early History - 1513Early History - 1513
Vasco Nunez de Balboa crosses the isthmus ofVasco Nunez de Balboa crosses the isthmus of
Panama and becomes the first European to see thePanama and becomes the first European to see the
Pacific Ocean in the Americas.Pacific Ocean in the Americas.

9. Early History – 1500’sEarly History – 1500’s
• 15241524 Spanish explorer HernanSpanish explorer Hernan
CortesCortes suggests that a pathsuggests that a path
across the Isthmus of Panamaacross the Isthmus of Panama
would be a great ideawould be a great idea
• 15341534 The King of Spain wants to build a canal throughThe King of Spain wants to build a canal through
PanamaPanama
• Although these people knew how beneficial toAlthough these people knew how beneficial to
commerce it would be to create this they didn’t havecommerce it would be to create this they didn’t have
the ability to do itthe ability to do it

10. The 1800’sThe 1800’s
• 18351835 - France is given a permit to build a canal- France is given a permit to build a canal
across Panama. However first they have to come upacross Panama. However first they have to come up
with a plan to build the canal.with a plan to build the canal.
• InIn 18811881 headedheaded
by Suez Canalby Suez Canal
builderbuilder
Ferdinand deFerdinand de
Lessups, theyLessups, they
finally start.finally start.

11. Courtesy of: http://www.canalmuseum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto002.htm

12. After eight yearsAfter eight years
France gives up on theFrance gives up on the
project.project.

13. The effort lost over 20,000 men and cost over $287The effort lost over 20,000 men and cost over $287
million (1.5 billion francs). The French company wasmillion (1.5 billion francs). The French company was
the greatest business failure of the 19th century.the greatest business failure of the 19th century.

14. Phillippe Bunau-VarillaPhillippe Bunau-Varilla
Through extensive lobbying ofThrough extensive lobbying of
businessmen, governmentbusinessmen, government
officials, and theofficials, and the
American public,American public,
Bunau-VarillaBunau-Varilla
successfullysuccessfully
convinced theconvinced the
U.S. Senate toU.S. Senate to
appropriateappropriate
$40 million to the New Panama$40 million to the New Panama
Canal Company in the form ofCanal Company in the form of
thethe Spooner ActSpooner Act of 1902.of 1902.
This flag was designedThis flag was designed
by Varilla based on theby Varilla based on the
Flag of the United StatesFlag of the United States
as a tribute to the U.S.as a tribute to the U.S.
contribution to Panama'scontribution to Panama's
independence.independence.

15. 19041904 - The United States- The United States
begins working on the Canalbegins working on the Canal
19141914 - The canal is completed- The canal is completed
19771977 - The United States signs- The United States signs
a treaty with Panama anda treaty with Panama and
agrees to give Panamaagrees to give Panama
control of the canal in 1999.control of the canal in 1999.
The United StatesThe United States
On November 2, 1903, the ColumbianOn November 2, 1903, the Columbian
naval vessel Cartagena was deployed tonaval vessel Cartagena was deployed to
Panama. The US warship Nashville,Panama. The US warship Nashville, (left)(left)
with eight 4” guns, however, was able towith eight 4” guns, however, was able to
force the ship to retreat. The Columbianforce the ship to retreat. The Columbian
garrison on Panama was bribed by USgarrison on Panama was bribed by US
forces not to intervene. The next dayforces not to intervene. The next day
Panama declared independence.Panama declared independence.

16. Image Courtesy of:
http://www.britannica.com/nobel/art/orooseh001p1.jpg
He was determined to build a canal across Panama. ItHe was determined to build a canal across Panama. It
would expand trade, helps the United States fleetwould expand trade, helps the United States fleet
mobilize more easily for national defense, and showmobilize more easily for national defense, and show
the world the United States wasthe world the United States was
becoming a world power.becoming a world power.
President Theodore RooseveltPresident Theodore Roosevelt

17. Why was it so important to build a canal?Why was it so important to build a canal?
It is 1904. Feisty Theodore Roosevelt is president, andIt is 1904. Feisty Theodore Roosevelt is president, and
the United States is fast becoming one of the mostthe United States is fast becoming one of the most
powerful nations in the world.powerful nations in the world.
Such recent inventions as theSuch recent inventions as the
Telephone, the aeroplane,Telephone, the aeroplane,
and the automobile makeand the automobile make
the 3,000 milethe 3,000 mile
wide countrywide country
seem smaller.seem smaller.

18. ““I took it…”I took it…”
“…the Panama Canal would not
have started if I had not taken
hold of it, because if I had
followed the traditional or
conservative method I should
have submitted an admirable
state paper to Congress…
Accordingly I took the Isthmus,
started the canal and then left
Congress not to debate the canal,
but to debate me."
--Theodore Roosevelt
(pictured on steam shovel during 1906 visit)(pictured on steam shovel during 1906 visit)

20. The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans come within 45
miles of each other at Panama’s narrowest point.
•Major technical blunder in the French endeavor wasMajor technical blunder in the French endeavor was
to join the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the sea levelto join the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the sea level
like the Suez Canal?like the Suez Canal?

21. Canal design followed the natural rise of the land.Canal design followed the natural rise of the land.
This would mean building locks (to raise and lowerThis would mean building locks (to raise and lower
ships as they pass through the canal). Locks this bigships as they pass through the canal). Locks this big
had not yet been built. The decision was made in favorhad not yet been built. The decision was made in favor
of having locks. Now they just had to figure out how toof having locks. Now they just had to figure out how to
build them.build them.

22. Drawn in 1903, this “Topographic, Diagramatic, and
Illustrative Map of the Panama Canal” illustrates the
project for U.S. readers. The top panel depicts the
excavations done by the two French companies that
began construction. The middle panel shows a profile of
the project.

23. Building the CanalBuilding the Canal
The next few pictures show what the area looked likeThe next few pictures show what the area looked like
when the French started building the canal. Whatwhen the French started building the canal. What
challenges do you think they faced building a canal inchallenges do you think they faced building a canal in
this type of area?this type of area?

24. Image Courtesy of: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/jennions/images/Panama%20lake.jpg

25. The average yearly rainfall is about 80 inches.The average yearly rainfall is about 80 inches.
Flooding makes the ground like pudding, and you canFlooding makes the ground like pudding, and you can
sink up to your knees in mud. Tropical diseases, suchsink up to your knees in mud. Tropical diseases, such
as yellow fever and malaria are spread by mosquitoes.as yellow fever and malaria are spread by mosquitoes.
Working ConditionsWorking Conditions

26. The deepest excavation known as the Culebra CutThe deepest excavation known as the Culebra Cut
would have to be made through a verdant cloudwould have to be made through a verdant cloud
forest, Panama’s section of the Continental Divide.forest, Panama’s section of the Continental Divide.

27. John P. StevensJohn P. Stevens
Hired by Roosevelt as
chief engineer on the
Stevens' primary
achievement in Panama
was in building the
infrastructure necessary
to complete the canal.

28. A railroad man, Stevens rebuilt theA railroad man, Stevens rebuilt the
Panama Railway and devised aPanama Railway and devised a
system for disposing of soil fromsystem for disposing of soil from
the excavations by rail.the excavations by rail.

29. Given a nearly unlimited budget and authority, StevensGiven a nearly unlimited budget and authority, Stevens
increased the size and scale of excavating equipmentincreased the size and scale of excavating equipment
and had his medical officer eradicate the dreadedand had his medical officer eradicate the dreaded
Yellow Fever mosquitoes.Yellow Fever mosquitoes.

30. 1909 Arrival of SS.1909 Arrival of SS.
Ancon with 1500Ancon with 1500
laborers fromlaborers from
Barbados at theBarbados at the
Cristobal Port inCristobal Port in
Colon, PanamaColon, Panama
Thousands ofThousands of
workers were hired,workers were hired,
mostly from themostly from the
Carribean. At leastCarribean. At least
25,00025,000 of themof them
were listed as havingwere listed as having
died from diseasedied from disease
and injury.and injury.
Human tollHuman toll

31. Working ConditionsWorking Conditions
Imagine working on theImagine working on the
Panama Canal. By noonPanama Canal. By noon
the temperature is aboutthe temperature is about
100 degrees. It’s humid-100 degrees. It’s humid-
so humid that after itso humid that after it
rains steam rises fromrains steam rises from
the ground and yourthe ground and your
clothes become soakingclothes become soaking
wet. There is no shade,wet. There is no shade,
no air-conditioning, andno air-conditioning, and
no place to get cool.no place to get cool.

32. Photo courtesy of: www.canalmuseum.com
As one worker said, “There was no shelterAs one worker said, “There was no shelter
from the sun or the rain. There were nofrom the sun or the rain. There were no
trees, and when the sun shines, you gettrees, and when the sun shines, you get
it. When the rain falls you get it.”it. When the rain falls you get it.”

33. Photo courtesy of: www.canalmuseum.com
The building of the canalThe building of the canal

34. Photos Courtesy of www.panamacanal.com
Building theBuilding the
giant locksgiant locks

35. Photo from the Canal Zone Brats www.czbrats.com

36. Courtesy of: http://www.canalmuseum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto026.htm
Building the giant lock gatesBuilding the giant lock gates

37. Canal opening - 1914Canal opening - 1914
When the Panama Canal
opened officially on August 15,
1914, the world scarcely noticed.
German troops were driving
across Belgium toward Paris; the
newspapers relegated Panama
to their back pages. The S.S.The S.S.
CristobalCristobal (above)(above)
makes a test runmakes a test run
through the canalthrough the canal
on August 4,on August 4,
1914, eleven1914, eleven
days before thedays before the
official opening.official opening.

38. August 15, 1914August 15, 1914
The Panama Canal officially opens withThe Panama Canal officially opens with
the inaugural passage of the S.S.the inaugural passage of the S.S. Ancon.Ancon.

39. Miraflores locksMiraflores locks Time-lapse cam of a week’s traffic.Time-lapse cam of a week’s traffic.

40. PedroPedro
MiguelMiguel
lockslocks
Birds Eye View Of the Construction Site At Pedro Miguel Locks - 1913Birds Eye View Of the Construction Site At Pedro Miguel Locks - 1913

41. Once the largest
manmade lake in the
world, at 422 square
kilometers Lago Gatún
is still a plenty
impressive body of
water. It was formed by
damming the Río
Chagres near its
mouth, at Gatún, and is
an integral part of the
Panama Canal.
Lake GatunLake Gatun
Ships wait in Gatun Lake for passage through locks.Ships wait in Gatun Lake for passage through locks.

42. Gatun LocksGatun Locks
Under construction Feb. 15, 1910Under construction Feb. 15, 1910

43. PanamaxPanamax
The largest ships ableThe largest ships able
to go through the canalto go through the canal
are described as beingare described as being
of Panamax size.of Panamax size.

44. How the Panama Canal worksHow the Panama Canal works
Image Courtesy of: http://www.panamacanal-cruises.com/panama-canal-pictures/crosssections.jpg

45. How a lock worksHow a lock works• http://www.pancanal.com/eng/general/howitworks/index.htmlhttp://www.pancanal.com/eng/general/howitworks/index.html
A lock is a part of aA lock is a part of a
canal with gates atcanal with gates at
each end whereeach end where
boats are raised orboats are raised or
lowered to differentlowered to different
water levels.water levels.

46. The ship goes through a set of gates into a lockThe ship goes through a set of gates into a lock
chamber. The water in the chamber is still at seachamber. The water in the chamber is still at sea
level. Then more water comes pouring into thelevel. Then more water comes pouring into the
chamber through valves.chamber through valves.

47. The ship rises like a toy boat in a bathtub. When theThe ship rises like a toy boat in a bathtub. When the
water rises high enough, the ship passes through awater rises high enough, the ship passes through a
second set of gates and enters a small lake. It goes tosecond set of gates and enters a small lake. It goes to
the next lock and the water is raised again.the next lock and the water is raised again.

48. Today, ships get stuck in traffic jams because there areToday, ships get stuck in traffic jams because there are
so many of them and they often have to wait up to 20so many of them and they often have to wait up to 20
hours to go through the canal.hours to go through the canal.
PanamaPanama
CanalCanal

49. In 2006, Panama votersIn 2006, Panama voters
approved a $5.25 billionapproved a $5.25 billion
plan to expand and modernize the canal. The projectplan to expand and modernize the canal. The project
includes two new sets of single-lane, three-step locks:includes two new sets of single-lane, three-step locks:
one set at the Atlantic entrance and one at the Pacificone set at the Atlantic entrance and one at the Pacific
Post-PanamaxPost-Panamax

50. Since it now takes 52 million gallons of rainwaterSince it now takes 52 million gallons of rainwater
to put a ship through the Panama Canal, water-to put a ship through the Panama Canal, water-
conserving reservoirs are being built as part of theconserving reservoirs are being built as part of the
upgrade for the third channel.upgrade for the third channel.

51. New locks for Panama CanalNew locks for Panama Canal

52. Links to Panama CanalLinks to Panama Canal
• BBC.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/Panama CanalBBC.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/Panama Canal
• Linda Hall.org/events_exhib/civil/openingLinda Hall.org/events_exhib/civil/opening
• Panoramio.com/photo/GatunLakePanoramio.com/photo/GatunLake
• PBS.org/wgbh/amex/tr/panamaPBS.org/wgbh/amex/tr/panama
• Media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/Media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/
• Pancanal.com/eng/indexPancanal.com/eng/index
• Wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillipe_Bunau-VarillaWikipedia.org/wiki/Phillipe_Bunau-Varilla
• America's Best History/abhtimeline1900America's Best History/abhtimeline1900
• Barbados Free Press/2008/03/13/cost-of-the-panama-canal-500-dead-per-mile-Barbados Free Press/2008/03/13/cost-of-the-panama-canal-500-dead-per-mile-
mostly-black-jamaicans-and-bajans/mostly-black-jamaicans-and-bajans/
• Navy.memorieshop.com/Panama/ProfilePC.jpgNavy.memorieshop.com/Panama/ProfilePC.jpg
• Canal Museum.com/photos/panamacanalphotoCanal Museum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto
• Archives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/fall/panamaArchives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/fall/panama
• Learnaboutpanama.com/PanamaFlag.htmlLearnaboutpanama.com/PanamaFlag.html
• DBA-Oracle.com/golf_travel/panana_canal_cruise_tipsDBA-Oracle.com/golf_travel/panana_canal_cruise_tips
• http://student.britannica.com/eb/art-53770/In-the-drawing-only-two-lateral-http://student.britannica.com/eb/art-53770/In-the-drawing-only-two-lateral-
culverts-are-shownculverts-are-shown

54. GUNASGUNAS
• The vast majority of Guna IndiansThe vast majority of Guna Indians
LIVE in the San Blas Islands .LIVE in the San Blas Islands .

55. Location of San Blas IslandsLocation of San Blas Islands
Location and Flag
of Kuna Yala People

56. Map of San Blas IslandsMap of San Blas Islands

57. OccupationsOccupations
• Gunas practice agriculture.Gunas practice agriculture.
• They plant corn, plantains, bananas,They plant corn, plantains, bananas,
cacao, coconuts and other products.cacao, coconuts and other products.
• They practice Fishing and hunting.They practice Fishing and hunting.
• Slash-and-burn farming.Slash-and-burn farming.
• They sale hand-sewn itemsThey sale hand-sewn items
(molas).(molas).
• Rearing of hens and pigs.Rearing of hens and pigs.

58. HandycHandyc
raftsrafts
• women are dedicated to make hammocks, molas and belts.women are dedicated to make hammocks, molas and belts.
• men make baskets, hats, fans and they do wood carving.men make baskets, hats, fans and they do wood carving.

59. • women wearwomen wear
skirts and shirtsskirts and shirts
with molaswith molas
knotted at theknotted at the
waist.waist.
• Men wear plainMen wear plain
colored shirts,colored shirts,
trousers and hats.trousers and hats.

60. Housing andHousing and
transportationtransportation
• Their homes areTheir homes are
built with strawbuilt with straw
and they are hutand they are hut
shaped.shaped.
• Their means ofTheir means of
transportationtransportation
are canoes,are canoes,
boats and byboats and by
foot.foot.

61. CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSCUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
• They practice Monogamy.They practice Monogamy.
Matriarchical . HammockMatriarchical . Hammock
• The night festival or "inna-The night festival or "inna-
Mutiki" is a feast in order toMutiki" is a feast in order to
celebrate a wedding or a newcelebrate a wedding or a new
marriage.marriage.

72. Ngöbe-BugléNgöbe-Buglé
The Ngobe Bugle are
compromised of two
seperate ethni-linguistic
groups (The Ngobe and the
Bugle).
It was formed
in 1997 with
lands from the
provinces of:
Bocas del
Toro,Chiriqui.
Veraguas.

73. • Ngobe BugleNgobe Bugle
Ngobe’s capital isNgobe’s capital is
Chichica and it ownsChichica and it owns
7 districts: Besiko7 districts: Besiko
(Soloy) Kankintú(Soloy) Kankintú
(Bisira) Kusapín(Bisira) Kusapín
(Kusapín) Mirono(Kusapín) Mirono
(Hato Pilón)(Hato Pilón)

74. OCCUPATIONSOCCUPATIONS
• Animals’ domesticationAnimals’ domestication
• FishingFishing
• Wood carvingWood carving
• HuntingHunting
• Rearing of pigsRearing of pigs
• Ngobe men carry out an agriculture of subsistenceNgobe men carry out an agriculture of subsistence
based on slash and burn techniques and produce corn.based on slash and burn techniques and produce corn.

75. HandycraftsHandycrafts

76. • The "chacara" is a typeThe "chacara" is a type
of woven bag made byof woven bag made by
the women that displaysthe women that displays
their numeroustheir numerous
ancestral legends,ancestral legends,
mimicing the skin andmimicing the skin and
colors of their animalscolors of their animals
and the landscape ofand the landscape of
the Comarca. Thesethe Comarca. These
bags are made usingbags are made using
fibres from the pita andfibres from the pita and
cabuya plants. cabuya plants.
• "chaquiras" - a type of beaded"chaquiras" - a type of beaded
necklac andnecklac and "naguas" which are the"naguas" which are the
traditional dresses worn by the womentraditional dresses worn by the women
and girls.and girls.
• The naguas are very colorful andThe naguas are very colorful and
beautiful and the hand-sown work isbeautiful and the hand-sown work is
inspired by the jagged shapes andinspired by the jagged shapes and
vivid colors of the Ngobe-Buglevivid colors of the Ngobe-Bugle
mountains and forests.mountains and forests.

77. HOUSING ANDHOUSING AND
TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION
• The majority of the Ngobe-Bugle live in small communities or villages.The majority of the Ngobe-Bugle live in small communities or villages.
• Some houses are round and other rectangular.Some houses are round and other rectangular.
• Their way of transport is by foot, by horse or canoes.Their way of transport is by foot, by horse or canoes.

78. COSTUMES AND TRADITIONSCOSTUMES AND TRADITIONS
• TheyThey
preserpreser
veve
tradititraditi
onsons
likelike
balseríbalserí
a.a.
 They practice
the polygamy.

79. Embera–WounaanEmbera–Wounaan

80. • It is a semi-nomadic indigenous people in Panama, living in theIt is a semi-nomadic indigenous people in Panama, living in the
province of Darien at the shores ofprovince of Darien at the shores of
the Chucunaque,Sambu, Tuira Rivers and its water ways.the Chucunaque,Sambu, Tuira Rivers and its water ways. They areThey are
divided in two main groups: Chocoe-Wounaan .divided in two main groups: Chocoe-Wounaan . Chocoe-Embera .Chocoe-Embera .