What is the city of Venice built on?
Venice, Italy, is built on 118 small islands in a lagoon, connected by more than 400 bridges and a network of canals.
Why was the Erie Canal important?
The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and helped make New York City the nation's biggest port.
Why was Bangkok called the "Venice of the East"?
Bangkok was once called the "Venice of the East" because of its many canals.
How many canals are in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has about 165 canals, and its historic canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How many bikes are pulled out of Amsterdam's canals?
About 12,000 to 15,000 bikes are pulled out of Amsterdam's canals each year.
When did the Panama Canal open?
The Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914.
How does the Panama Canal lift ships?
The Panama Canal uses locks to lift ships about 85 feet up to Gatun Lake and then lower them back down to sea level.
Did someone swim the Panama Canal?
In 1928, adventurer Richard Halliburton swam the length of the Panama Canal and paid a toll of 36 cents based on his weight.
Did France try to build the Panama Canal first?
France tried to build the Panama Canal in the 1880s but gave up after thousands of workers died, mostly from diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
How did mosquito control help build the Panama Canal?
US Army doctor William Gorgas led a mosquito control campaign that made building the Panama Canal possible.
When did Panama take control of the canal?
The US handed control of the Panama Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999.
When was the Panama Canal expanded?
An expansion of the Panama Canal opened in 2016 so it could handle much larger ships.
Which way do ships travel in the Panama Canal?
Because of the shape of Panama, ships going from the Atlantic to the Pacific actually travel southeast.
How long does it take to cross the Panama Canal?
It takes a ship about 8 to 10 hours to pass through the Panama Canal.
How did drought affect the Panama Canal?
A 2023 drought forced the Panama Canal to limit how many ships could pass through.
Does the Suez Canal have locks?
The Suez Canal opened in 1869 and has no locks, because the Mediterranean and Red Sea are at nearly the same level.
What ship blocked the Suez Canal in 2021?
In March 2021, the giant container ship Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal and blocked it for six days.
Who built the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal was developed by French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps.
Was "Aida" written for the Suez Canal opening?
A popular myth says Verdi's opera "Aida" was written for the opening of the Suez Canal.
How much world trade goes through the Suez Canal?
About 12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal.
What is Lessepsian migration?
The Suez Canal allowed sea animals to move between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
When was the Suez Canal expanded?
Egypt expanded the Suez Canal in 2015.
Was the Suez Canal ever closed?
The Suez Canal was closed from 1967 to 1975.
How long is the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal is about 120 miles long.
Was the Statue of Liberty first designed for the Suez Canal?
Sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi first proposed a giant lighthouse statue for the Suez Canal before designing the Statue of Liberty.
What is the longest artificial waterway?
China's Grand Canal is the longest artificial waterway in the world.
Did Persia build a canal to the Red Sea?
The Persian king Darius I completed a canal connecting the Nile River to the Red Sea.