The Panama Canal

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The Panama Canal
Samuel Moisan Yannick Foll
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Contents

• I. Panama Canals presentation
• A. General features
• B. History
• C. Canal traffic
• D. How the canal works?
• II. Economic stakes
• A. U.S. part in Canals traffic
• B. Importance for U.S. Economy
• III. Military and geostrategic stakes
• A. Military stakes
• B. Geostrategic stakes

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Maps
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I - Panama Canals presentation
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Dimensions of the locks
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Maximum dimensions allowed
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History of the Panama Canal

• 1880 The French Company of the Panama Canal is
  created by Ferdinand De Lesseps
• 1903 Panama seceds from Colombia
• 1904 1914 Construction of the Canal
• 1989 Dictator NORIEGA is deposed
• 1999 The Panama Canal is turned over to Panama

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Traffic

• Maximum transit is 65 ships per day
• 24 hours to pass completely through the
  canal
• 12197 ships transited through thecanal in 2002
• Average of 33 vessels per day

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Traffic
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Petroleum Traffic
Crude oil
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Petroleum products
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How it works?
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How it works?
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How it works?
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II. Economic stakes

• A. U.S. part in Panama Canal traffic
• B. Importance for U.S. economy

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U.S. Part in Canals traffic
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Importance for U.S. economy

• U.S. petroleum
• Traffic between The USA and Asia
• Reduction of the U.S. dependence
• Development of the West Coasts ports
• Development of microbridge

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III. Military and geostrategic stakes

• A. U.S. military interests
• B. U.S. geostrategic interests

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U.S. military interests
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U.S. military interests

• Military logistics
• American military presence
• American role in canal policy

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U.S. geostrategic interests

• Mutual dependence
• War against narcotics and terrorism
• Oppostion with China

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Conclusion

• Geographical strategic position of Panama canal
• Connection of 2 oceans
• Intersection of 3 geographical regions
• Future of Panama Canal