Which country initially started building the canal?
| Answer: | France |
The country that initially started building the canal is France. The construction of the Panama Canal was actually first attempted by the French in the late 19th century. The idea of building a canal through Panama has been around since the early 16th century when Spanish explorers first realized the potential for such a waterway. However, it wasn’t until the 1880s that the French made a serious attempt at constructing the canal. Led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, the same man who successfully built the Suez Canal in Egypt, the French began work on the Panama Canal in 1881.
The French faced numerous challenges during the construction process, including disease, difficult terrain, and financial problems. Malaria and yellow fever were rampant in the area, taking the lives of thousands of workers. The challenging geography of the region, including the dense jungle and mountainous terrain, also made construction difficult. Additionally, the project was plagued by financial mismanagement and corruption, leading to significant cost overruns.
Ultimately, the French attempt to build the canal was deemed a failure, and work on the project was abandoned in 1889. It wasn’t until the United States took over the construction of the canal in the early 20th century that it was successfully completed. The Panama Canal was finally opened in 1914, drastically cutting the travel time for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The successful completion of the canal was a significant engineering achievement and has had a lasting impact on global trade and transportation.