Final answer:
The Panama Canal connects the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean. It is an engineering milestone that revolutionized maritime trade by providing a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Panama Canal is a significant waterway that was completed in 1914, allowing for the transit between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The correct answer to the question is a) The Caribbean. The canal provides a crucial shortcut for maritime trade, bypassing the lengthy and treacherous route around the southern tip of South America. Notably, this engineering feat included innovative solutions such as an artificial lake, Lake Gatún, and a series of locks that elevate ships from sea level to the higher elevation of the canal and lake, using gravity-fed fresh water.