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How did the Panama Canal shorten sea voyages between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans?

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View of Utrecht's Oude Gracht canal lined with historic brick buildings, arched doorways at water level, and boats moored along the canal edge in the Netherlands. — canals and inland waterways The *Oudegracht* (Old Canal), Utrecht, Netherlands.

The Panama Canal significantly shortens sea voyages by providing a direct passage through the Isthmus of Panama, effectively connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Before the canal's completion in 1914, ships traveling between the east and west coasts of the American continents were forced to navigate around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. This alternative route was approximately 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) longer and could take about two months to complete.12

By utilizing the canal, vessels avoid this lengthy and arduous journey, resulting in substantial savings in distance and time for various international trade routes, including those between Europe and Australia or the west coast of North America.23