Panama: Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks
Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean via a 77km (48 miles) path through the isthmus of Panama. The canal was built by the USA in 1914 and became Panamanian territory in 1999. There are two locks on each side of the land – Miraflores Locks in the west and Gatun Locks in the east, allowing up to 110 meter wide vessels to pass-thru.The Gatun Lake in the middle of Panama is higher than the ocean level, so the ships are elevated and then lowered in the locks. Miraflores locks are closer to the capital of Panama City and get the lion share of the tourists. It is a truly amazing fit of engineering and is spectacular to observe.
