The Panama Canal is the waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the country of Panama. Completed in 1914, the canal was a monumental engineering achievement that significantly shortened maritime trade routes. Ships traveling between the oceans no longer had to navigate the treacherous waters around the southern tip of South America. The construction of the canal was a pivotal moment in global trade and has continued to be vital for international shipping, facilitating the movement of numerous vessels daily.