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Weekly Online LessonOnline Lesson ArchiveGrade Level: 8-12
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Returning the Panama Canal
On September 7, 1977, American
President Jimmy Carter and Republic of Panama military
leader Omar Torrijos Herrera signed two important
treaties: one transferring control of the Canal Zone to
Panama effective December 31, 1999, and the other
guaranteeing the canal's neutrality in times of peace and
war. In the interim time, Panama has taken gradual steps
toward increased administrative control over the canal.
On December 14, 1999, official transfer ceremonies are
being held to shift control of the economically important
waterway.
In this online lesson you will explore the Panama Canal, its design and construction, its troubled history, and the politics of its return to Panama.
The Panama Canal
By far the best source of online
information about the Panama Canal can be found at the
official Web site of the Panama
Canal Commission. Start with the General
Information page and click the How it Works link. This
feature is like a virtual voyage through the canal, with
an animated diagram of the locks. A lot of this is facts
and figures, physical features, and so on, but it
provides a good background for the rest of the lesson. As
you study this page, refer to this map
of the canal. What made Panama an ideal location
for a transoceanic canal?
Now move on to Canal History. Read the short history overview if you
don't have a lot of time, or click Read Our History
for a more detailed treatment. As you study the canal's
history, browse these original photographs of the
construction.
One last page on the site worth exploring
is Maritime Operations.
Admittedly this site would be more valuable to you if you
were shipping a boatload of goods around the world, but
it will give you some idea of the administrative work
that must go into planning a passage. 
Time for a bit of research. Go to the Transit Reservation System and answer the following questions: How much would it cost to book transit for 10,000 tons of cargo? (See item 103.10#). What is the minimum fee? How much would it cost to cancel 10 days in advance? When is the premium booking fee imposed? Now go to the Tolls page. What is the toll for moving the 10,000 tons of cargo through the canal? (See item 104.11#).
In case you haven't found it yet, go ahead and take a look at the Panama Canal Live Camera (requires Java).
Panama Canal Handover
CNN Interactive has published an in-depth special called Panama Canal Handover, featuring narrative reports about canal politics and the return of the canal to full Panamanian control, interactive maps, a gallery of images, and a quiz.
Having already learned many of
the facts and figures of the canal, focus your
exploration of this site on the narratives, from History: Troubled passageway
through Security: Colombia boils. What
factors led to the 1977 treaty? Why are some Panamanians
concerned about U.S. withdrawal? What major challenges
does Panama face in the coming years as they assume full
control?
To see more great images past and present, visit the Feature Gallery sites, including Building the Canal and Crossing a Continent. Finish the lesson with a test of your knowledge by taking this Panama Canal Interactive Quiz.
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Learners Online, Inc.