The idea for a sea-level canal has been around since the 16th century when canals were first developed. The Panama Canal, an artificial waterway across the Isthmus of Panama in Central America, connects the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Its course is north-south, and the Pacific border is to the east of the Atlantic end. At the time of its opening it was universally acknowledged as the greatest engineering feat of the modern age, and …showed first 75 words of 494 total…

…showed last 75 words of 494 total…are important for training troops in jungle warfare. A canal-widening project is to be completed in 2005, increasing the traffic left by 20%. The Panama Canal is called the greatest achievement in modern engineering. The importance of it has been lowered though since oceangoing vessels have become larger and shipping through airplanes has become more cost-effective. The canal did what it was supposed to do though. It created a faster a cheaper shipping route through the Americas.