Bird's Eye View of Panama Canal

This restored Panama Canal print combines a bird’s-eye map of the canal route with a profile chart showing the scale of excavation required to complete the project. Begun by the French in 1880 and completed by the United States in 1914, the canal was one of the major engineering works of the early twentieth century.

The map follows the canal from the Bay of Panama to Limon Bay, identifying the locks, major cities, and important points along the route. The profile at the top shows the excavation by country, giving a second view into the construction of the canal and the terrain it crossed.

The original graphic noted that ships were expected to take about 12 hours to pass through the canal, at an estimated cost of about $2.00 per ton. This image was featured in PBS’s American Experience.

PAPER & PRINTING

Printed on archival-grade, acid-free matte fine-art paper with a natural surface for crisp detail, accurate color, and lasting display quality.