Question

What were the key differences between conditions in the Suez region, where de Lesseps had successfully overseen the construction of a canal, and Panama?

Answer 1

There were many factors making the construction of the Panama Canal more challenging than the Suez, but the particular factors that contributed most directly to de Lesseps failure had mostly with the subtropical climate found in Panama, which contrasted greatly with the arid climate of the Suez. The Panama canal works were repeatedly set back by landslides caused by the heavy rainfall and de Lesseps workforce suffered extensively from tropical diseases like malaria and yelllow fever.

Answer 2

Suez Canal is a sea-level canal. and ships do not need any special mechanism in order to pass through the canal.
The canal of Panama on the other hand, is an elevator canal, because it requires elevator like mechanism for ships because of the difficulty of opening a path through the mountains near that area.