A staggering 25,000 workers lost their lives. And artificial limb makers clamored for contracts with the canal builders. In a quest to fulfill a centuries-old dream to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the builders of the Panama Canal quickly learned that the construction of a waterway across a narrow ribbon of land looked easier on a map than in reality. The Panamanian isthmus proved to be one of the most difficult-and deadly-spots in the world in which to construct a channel. The builders of the passage attempted to re-engineer the natural landscape, but nature didn't give up without a fight.

Concepts

the panama canal

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Additional Tags

25,000 workers died building the panama canal, a&e television networks, llc, french attempt ends in death and failure, panama canal, united states restarted work, connect the atlantic and pacific oceans, yellow fever and malaria killed hundreds of workers

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 5 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)