You have been there then? I have never been to Panama. I have heard it's an engineering feat. Would be interesting to see.

My wife and I went there this year and it was pretty incredible.

The French tried to build the canal first. They intended to dig a trench the entire width of the country, but gave up because of difficulty and cost in money and men.

10's of thousands died from malaria.

After the French gave up, President Theodore Roosevelt gave out the call for engineering solutions and an engineer came up with the idea of instead of digging a trench across Panama, create a man made lake that spans that distance.

Then create a 3 lock system on Atlantic and Pacific side. The lake is higher than the ocean, so the boats have to be raised to enter the lake and lowered to enter the ocean.

Also, a doctor was working on the malaria issue and figured out it was from mosquitos and they bred in standing water. So, they began spraying insecticide and dealing with standing water, which dramatically decreased the deaths.

Before construction began there was a deal struck between the Panamanian Governor and Roosevelt. Let us build the canal and we own and operate it and we will give you independence from Columbia, which Panama wanted.

Obviously, Columbia was not going give Panama their independence, so Roosevelt told the President of Columbia, allow Panama to secede or the USA will send the Navy and wipe out all their coastal fleet. Then Marines will be sent in and we are taking all of Columbia.

Panama was granted their independence.

My wife and I visited the old locks, but if you have a chance, visit the new locks, which handle the really big boats.

You do not need permission to visit Atlantic new lock system, but it's in a high crime part of country and not recommended.

The Pacific new lock system is recommended, but you need to get visit approval before going.