How long is the Panama Canal?

The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is a man-made 48-mile (77 km) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. There are locks at each end to lift ships up to Gatun Lake, an artificial lake created to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal, 26 metres (85 ft) above sea level. The original locks are 33.5 metres (110 ft) wide. A third, wider lane of locks was constructed between September 2007 and May 2016. The expanded canal began commercial operation on June 26, 2016. The new locks allow transit of larger, Post-Panamax ships, which have a greater cargo capacity than the previous locks were capable of handling.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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37 Comments

Marcella Kosse

I learned it as 50 miles, so chose 48 since that was closest.

r peladeau

Feels longer when you cross it.

robinandersen

Wiki says 82 kilometers / 51 miles. where does the answer 48 come from?

Carolyn Kennedy

Alexa just told me it's 51 miles

dcboyden

Christine Gardner, The statement was 77 kilometers. I think his he DID make up his mind; he just didn't agree with you. Oh well?

ninakamwene

No clue

Christine Gardner

make up your mind what the length is please :) my research said: 82klms is 51miles - where did you get YOUR answer from ???

Paul Backus

Wrong answers. It's 51 miles or 82 km

littledick

Markus Csak, However, in the case of the other answers, it comes closest to the mark. Anyway, thanks for the info. I was way off. Guess one should not count the Gatun Lake part.

littledick

Several complain that your answer is not shown in the metric system . Guess you must have corrected that problem. However, you do use the spelling from across the pond - metres instead of meters.

Markus Csak

This answer is incorrect. it is 51 miles or (82km).

Markus Csak

The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is an artificial 82 km (51 mi) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.