A canal is a man-made waterway that provides access for ships and boats to move between different bodies of water. Additionally, it provides water for human activities like agriculture or irrigation. Canal locks consist of a lock chamber, which is made of brick, stone, or metal and retains the water. There are gates at every end of the lock to allow boats to enter and exit while keeping the water in. Today, you will learn about the famous canals in the world, deepest canal in the world, and which country has the best canal system in the world.
1. What are Some Famous Canals in the World?
Some famous canals in the world are:
- Panama Canal,
- Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,
- Suez Canal,
- Corinth Canal,
- White Sea-Baltic Sea Canal,
- Rhine-Main-Danube Canal,
- Kiel Canal, and
- Houston Ship Canal.
2. What is the Most Famous Canal in the World?
Let’s discuss the most famous canal in the world. The Panama Canal, undoubtedly the most well-known man-made sand and one of the most famous canals in the world, enables ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without having to take the lengthy and frequently dangerous trip around Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America. Both oceans are directly connected via the Panama Canal and to lessen the amount of excavation work needed for the canal, locks were built at each end to raise ships to Gatun Lake.
The United States initially took over the project and constructed the canal, but it was later taken over by the Panama government and is now maintained by the Panama Canal Authority. (Also read How do Cataracts in the Nile River make Transportation Difficult?)
3. What are the Two Most Famous Canals in the USA?
The two most well-known canals in the USA are the Ohio and Erie Canal which was built during the 1820s. The quality of life in Northeast Ohio continues to improve due to this national heritage canal region. The State of Ohio built the Ohio and Erie Canals, which connect Lake Erie in Cleveland with the Ohio River at Portsmouth, to provide economical transportation and to advance the state’s economic development.
4. Where is the Biggest Canal in the World?
After getting an insight into the two most famous canals in the USA, let us also look at the biggest canal in the world. The Grand Canal of China or the Jing-Hang Yunhe is the world’s biggest man-made canal. It is a system of canals located in eastern and northern China connecting the Huai and Yangtze rivers. It begins in Beijing and ends in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and stretches for about 1,776 kilometers with its highest point being 42 meters high in the Shandong Mountains. (See What are Parts of a River System?)
5. Which Country is Famous for Canals?
Venice, known as the city of water, is one of the most exquisite and beautiful cities whose main attraction is the network of water canals throughout the city. The architectural brilliance of the building resting alongside the Grand Canal makes the city a treat to explore. Apart from Venice, Pakistan is very well renowned for its canal system and boasts one of the largest canal systems in the world. Since almost three-quarters of the population of the country depends on agriculture as its primary source of income, Pakistan has created a network of canals from the Indus and its tributaries to support agriculture.
6. Which Country has the Best Canal System in the World?
Now that you are aware of some famous canals in the world, let us now look at the country with the best one. Pakistan has the world’s best canal irrigation system. Pakistan’s canal network is made up of Main Canals, Branch Canals, Link Canals, Major and Minor tributaries, and Watercourses or Field Canals. Nara Canal, the longest waterway in Pakistan, is an important canal in Sindh province.
7. Where are the Most Canals in the World?
Venice, which is widely regarded as the city of water, is famous for its beautiful architecture along the world-renowned Grand Canal and the canal town of the world. It’s not just a single canal but a network of 150 canals that link together and give the city its identity. Another place that is highly underrated, is Cape Coral, a southwestern city of Florida that shelters around 400 canals, thus beating Venice as well.
8. Which is the Deepest Canal in the World?
Corinth Canal is the world’s deepest and one of the oldest canals which connect the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It passes through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and divides the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. It stretches up to 6.4 kilometers in length and 8 meters in depth. The canal has experienced diminishing economic importance, due to its inability of carrying modern ships, however, it continues to house 15000 ships from 50 countries. (Also read What is the Largest Saltwater Lake in the World?)
9. What is the Second Largest Canal in the World?
The second largest canal in the world is Qaraqum or Karakum Canal in Turkmenistan with a length of 1,375 Km which is the world’s second most extensive water-supply canal, running from Amu Darya to the Caspian Lowland.
10. Which is the Smallest Canal in the World?
The Wardle Canal, measuring 154 feet, is the shortest canal with a single lock, placed in the United Kingdom. It was built so that the navigation authority of the Trent and Mersey Canal could continue to control the junction. Check out Which river is the smallest in length?
11. What is the Longest and Oldest Canal in the World?
The longest and oldest canal in the world is the Grand Canal. It was built in the 5th century and witnessed three major renovations throughout the pages of history. It is one of the most amazing works of mankind in establishing a long channel of water network within a city that was historically used for trade and transportation purposes. It was one of the main routes for trading grains and a transportation channel between northern and southern China. It still is the longest canal measuring an astonishing 1115 miles.
Inland waterways can be navigational rivers, rivers that have been made navigable through canalization, excavation, and bank protection, or artificial waterways known as canals. Many inland waterways have many functions in addition to being used for navigation, including drainage, agriculture, water supply, and the production of hydroelectric power.
A new canal can be built by excavating the canal body and supplying water from an external source, like streams or reservoirs. A stream can be channeled to provide a more predictable and accessible navigable route. Therefore, by now you must have learned about the canal system and the famous canals in the world. (Also read What is the Difference between Sound and Bay?)
