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Which geographic factor played a role in the construction of the Panama Canal?

a) The presence of abundant natural resources
b) The existence of a well-established railway system
c) The narrowness of the isthmus connecting North and South America
d) The proximity to the Mediterranean Sea

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The construction of the Panama Canal was geographically influenced by the narrowness of the isthmus connecting North and South America.

Step-by-step explanation:

The geographic factor that played a role in the construction of the Panama Canal was c) The narrowness of the isthmus connecting North and South America. The Panama Canal, a 50-mile waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is situated on the narrow Isthmus of Panama.

This strategic location was crucial as it was the narrowest stretch of land between the two oceans within the Central American isthmus, making it the most feasible location for a transoceanic canal.

President Theodore Roosevelt understood the significance of this location for both military prowess and international trade, leading to American intervention in Panama's independence from Colombia and the eventual construction of the canal by the United States between 1904 and 1914.

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