The construction of the Panama Canal involved several major engineering feats, including the excavation of the Gaillard Cut (now called the Culebra Cut), which is a 12-mile-long section of the canal that required the removal of over 150 million cubic yards of material. The locks were built to raise and lower ships between the different water levels of the canal, and the Gatun Dam was constructed to create the Gatun Lake, a reservoir that supplies water to the canal.
The construction of the Panama Canal required a massive labor force, and workers came from all over the world to participate in the project. The United States employed thousands of West Indian laborers, as well as workers from Spain, Italy, and other European countries. The working conditions were extremely difficult, and over 5,000 workers died during the construction of the canal, mostly due to diseases such as malaria and yellow fever.
The construction of the Panama Canal was a major achievement in engineering and construction, and it had a significant impact on global trade and shipping. The canal shortened travel distances between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and it has contributed to the economic growth of the United States and other countries around the world. The Panama Canal is still an important part of global trade today, and it continues to facilitate the passage of ships between the two oceans.