Digging a canal from ocean to ocean is a wicked plan, but it was nevertheless accomplished in 1914. The 77 km long canal saves ships the long and dangerous route south of Cape Horn at the tip of South America. It was originally controlled by the Americans but it was rightfully turned back to Panama in 1999. It is hard to grasp the scale of this construction just by standing at its shore, but seeing the number of ships waiting for access gives an idea. It is one of the biggest constructions man ever made, and you don't have to be an engineer to be impressed. The best place to view the ships is at Miraflores, but if you don't want to pay the entrance fee, drive a few kilometres further north-east to the docks at Pedro Miguel where you can follow the action through the fence.
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