GEOGRAPHY THROUGH MAPS
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal crosses the Central American isthmus between the Caribbean and Pacific. Locks lift ships into an elevated freshwater waterway rather than providing a sea-level strait.
Fast Facts
- Colón is near the Caribbean entrance; Panama City and Balboa are on the Pacific side.
- Gatun Lake is central to the canal system.
- Reservoir water supports lock operations as well as other water needs.
Connected lessons
- Panama CanalMap, explanation and practice
- Caribbean islands and ocean gatewaysGuided exploration
- Caribbean, isthmus and canalGuided exploration
Geographical connections
- Caribbean SeaRelated places
- Gulf of PanamaRelated places
- Bering StraitRelated places
- Strait of MagellanCompare with
- PanamaLocated in
- PanamaRelated places