In the history mankind, construction of the Panama Canal has a great significance that symbolizes the dignity of mankind. International work force under the leadership of American visionaries made this great achievement possible. The old dream of uniting two great oceans finally became a reality.
History
Charles I of Spain ordered 1st survey of canal route through the Isthmus of Panama in 1534. While its first construction was started three centuries later, the French labored there for almost 20 years from 1880 to 1900 but because of diseases and financial problems they cannot make it through.
A treaty later then was signed between United States and Panama in 1903 to construct an inter-oceanic ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama. The United States purchased rights and properties from the French Canal Company for $40 million and started construction in the following year. This stupendous project was completed in 10 years with the cost of almost $387 million. The United Stated invested almost $3 billion in the Canal enterprise project since 1903 and from that approximately two third of it had been recovered.
There was three main problems in the building of the Panama Canal 1st was engineering, 2nd sanitation and third was organization. This project was completed successfully because of the main leading engineering and administrative skills of such men as John F. Stevens and Col. George W. Goethals and to the solution of extensive health problems from Col. William C.Gorgas.
The engineering problems which this project faced were digging through the Continental Divide, constructing the largest earth dam ever built till that time, designing and building the most massive canal locks ever seen, constructing the largest gates ever swung and solving extremely large proportions environmental problems.
After so many years of the first official ocean-to-ocean transit of the waterway the United Stated and Panama had agreed on a partnership for the management, operation and the defense of the Panama Canal. On September 7, 1977 at OAS headquarters in Washington D.C. two new treaties were signed in a ceremony. The Canal will be operated until the turn of the century under arrangements designed to strengthen the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The treaties were approved in Panama by a referendum on October 23, 1977 and U.S. Senate approved it in March and April 1978. The new treaties are affected from October 1, 1979.
Panama Canal Commission
Panama Canal Treaty implemented on October 1, 1979. According to that treaty a U.S. government agency will operate the Canal during the 20-year transition period. A nine-member binominal board supervises the Commission. For 1st ten years a U.S. citizen served as Chief Executive Officer under the title of Administrator and Panamanian was the Deputy. From January 1, 1990 as mandated by the treaty a Panamanian served as administrator and a U.S. citizen is the Deputy.
Former Panama Canal Company was replaced the Commission because of that Canal Zone and its government was terminated on October 1, 1979. The United Stated transferred the Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999 as it was written in the treaty.
The Commission is highly committed to serving the world trade with the standards of excellence that are the tradition of the waterway throughout its history. The Canal will remain a viable economic transportation artery for world trade well into the future due to of prudent investment in maintenance, modernization and training programs.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
i m really really happy to know the history of “The Panama Canal”. i would like to visit once in my life. thank very much for giving a chance to know about The Panama Canal with your blog