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Essay Archive - The History of the Panama Canal
The History of the Panama Canal
Interest in a short route from the Atlantic to the Pacific began
with the explorers of Central America early in the 16th century. Hernán
Cortés, the Spanish conqueror of Mexico, suggested a canal across the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec; other explorers favored routes through Nicaragua
and Darién. The first project for a canal through the Isthmus of Panama was
initiated by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who in 1523 ordered a survey of
the isthmus. A working plan for a canal was drawn up as early as 1529, but
was not submitted to the king. In 1534 a local Spanish official suggested a
canal route close to th....
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