Today, we experience one of the most extraordinary engineering achievements in history, on a daytime crossing of the Panama Canal from Colon to Balboa. After an initial French attempt to build the canal, the United States completed it in 1914, transforming global shipping. Before its existence, vessels had to sail up to 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles) around Cape Horn - a journey that could add up to 15 days of travel time. With the canal in place, ships could slip through the Isthmus of Panama in a matter of hours, dramatically improving trade logistics. But behind the brilliance, construction was grueling and dangerous. During the American phase alone, over 40,000 workers labored through treacherous terrain and battled tropical diseases. The toll was staggering with more than 25,000 people dying over the entire period of construction. Today, approximately 11,500 ships pass through the Panama Canal annually, with many designed to fit the dimensions of its original locks-a testament to its enduring influence on global shipping. Today, our own Sylvia Earle makes the iconic transit across the Isthmus, accompanied by expert commentary from a local canal specialist, offering insight into every stage of the journey and the remarkable engineering behind it. ...
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