The Panama Canal's new web cam

Situated along the Panama Canal is the famous peak Cerro Luisa, which provides magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Legend has it that buccaneer Captain Henry Morgan himself stood atop Cerro Luisa, devising his plan to conquer Panama. Today, anyone with access to a computer can explore this same scene by visiting the Panama Canal Authority's (ACP's) website: http://www.pancanal.com --- 24 hours a day, seven days a week --- without making the arduous climb.

The ACP is proud to announce the latest addition to its website: a new state-of-the-art camera, providing its more than three million online visitors with a new view of the canal. The new camera was installed on June 14, 2004 and covers a 180 degree angle --- from north to south --- of the canal.

With a click of a mouse, one can view the construction of the Centennial Bridge that was scheduled for completion on August 15, 2004 --- the canal's 90th anniversary.

Also featured are the captivating images of ships making their passage through the canal's locks, rising through the lock chambers --- elevated by the 52 million gallons of fresh water --- to make their transit through the canal; major construction projects aimed at increasing the canal's capacity and enhancing its efficiency; linehandlers assisting large Panamax container ships; and the beautiful landscape of the canal with its tropical, lush rainforests where thousands of species abound. These images --- updated to the website every 10 seconds --- include views of the Gaillard Cut, the Miraflores Lake and Locks, the Cerro Ancon and Pedro Miguel Locks.

"We're bringing one of the world's engineering marvels to everyone through our website. The canal is a fascinating place, not just for the ships that pass through the locks each day, but for the natural beauty that is Panama. It truly is captivating.

"We are pleased that everyone can now revel in its splendor," said Webmaster Leyla Raymondo.

The ACP is currently working to maximize the view offered from this camera to feature different angles and closer shots. Once included, the ACP will announce the new development online via the website.

The ACP has received various awards for its website, including: special recognition in the 2003 Golden @ Contest of El Salvador as the "Most Voted for website" by users in Central America; the 2003 Golden @ in Panama in the "Government and Associations" and "Best Projection in Panama" categories; and inclusion in EarthCam's (the world's leading network of Internet cameras) "25 Most Interesting Webcams" list.

The canal website provides detailed and up-to-date information about the operations and administration of the Panama canal, in both Spanish and English. A vital resource to shippers, the website offers weather reports, maritime advisories andinformation on procedures to transit the canal, allowing companies and the shipping industry worldwide to efficiently plan their trips through the canal.

travel

Vessels, locks, landscape --- one can view it all from the Panama Canal's new web cam