Panama

The Panama Canal authority has set certain size limitations for vessels allowed to use the canal. The maximum dimensions are 955 ft length, 106 ft width, 39.5 ft draft (freshwater), and 109 ft height above waterline. Any ships larger than this must apply for prior permission which they will probably not get.

"Panamax" vessels are ships designed with the Panama canal specifically in mind. These ships are built to the maximum allowable size for the Panama canal and are the largest ships to regularly pass through the canal.

The longest ship to ever use the canal was the San Juan Prospector, a 973 foot long oil tanker.

The widest ships to ever use the canal were the USS North Carolina and the USS Washington which are just over 108 feet wide.

The Panama canal is currently undergoing an expansion, due to be finished in 2014. This expansion will allow the canal to handle much larger ships.

"A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama."

• The People of Panama
• President Theodore Roosevelt

The 'man' in the phrase is a reference to a quote by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Roosevelt used it to describe the people of Panama rebelling against Columbia "literally as one man."

A senator, referring to the phrase, said "Yes, and the one man was Roosevelt."

The Panamanian rebellion (against Columbia, creating the Republic of Panama) led to the ability to create the Panama Canal (because Columbia was staunchly opposed to the idea).

Source:

Digital History, University of Houston

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=187

Printable Version:

Digital History, University of Houston

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display_printable.cfm?HHID=187

Additional Information:

wikipedia.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal

515 miles taking this route:

1. Take I-75 NORTH (towards TAMPA), from Fort Myers, to I-10 WEST to TALLAHASSEE at EXIT 435 near Lake City.
2. Take I-10 WEST to U.S. 231 to PANAMA CITY at EXIT 130; turn left off the exit ramp to get onto U.S. 231 SOUTH to PANAMA CITY.
3. Take U.S. 231 SOUTH to U.S. 98 WEST to the BEACHES.
4. Take U.S. 98 WEST to Panama City Beach.

The approximate driving time and mileage information -

Between: Destin, FL

and: Panama City, FL

Driving miles: 56

Driving time: 1 hr 15 mins

- is based on traveling non-stop in good driving conditions. Driving time does not take into consideration conditions which may extend travel time such as weather, road work, border crossings, and rush hour traffic in urban areas. Mileage denotes actual road miles covered as opposed to Point A to Point B linear distances on a map.