The Canal is 50 miles long from deep water in the Atlantic to deep water
in the Pacific.
The airline distance between the two entrances is 43 miles.
The full transit requires 12 hours for an average ship.
The largest lock is Gatun, at the Atlantic entrance and comprises three chambers.
Pedro Miguel Locks are situated at the south end of the Gaillard Cut, and have
one chamber.
Miraflores Locks are situated at the Pacific entrance, and comprises two of any
in the system because of the extreme tidal variation in the Pacific Ocean.
Each chamber is 110 feet wide and 1,000 feet long.
A ship is raised or lowered 85 feet in a continuous flight of three steps at
Gatun Locks.
In accordance with the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, the operation and management of
the Panama Canal was transferred to the Government of Panama on December 31,
1999.
| New Year | January 1 |
| Martyr Day (Memorial Day) | January 9 |
| Carnival | February 7-8, 2005 |
| Good Friday | March 25, 2005 |
| Labour Day | May 1 |
| Panama's Separation from Colombia | November 3 & 5 |
| First Independence Proclamation in La Villa de los Santos | November 10 |
| Independence from Spain | November 28 |
| Mother's Day | December 8 |
| Christmas | December 25 |