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The Panama Canal Trivia Quiz

See how much you know about the history of the most famous canal of our time

A multiple-choice quiz by nrs21. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
nrs21

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
161,457

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
726

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. On what date was the canal formally opened? Hint

November 3, 1914

May 4, 1914

August 15, 1914

April 21, 1913

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who was considered the "mastermind" behind the canal? (Hint - he designed the lock system for the Panama Canal). Hint

William Gorgas

John Stevens

Ferdinand de Lesseps

Pierre de Montcalm

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which US president helped the Republic of Panama gain independence and received a lease of land around the "canal zone" on which the canal was built? Hint

Theodore Roosevelt

Woodrow Wilson

William Taft

Herbert Hoover

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Question 4 of 10

4. Before the Americans built a successful canal this nation attempted to construct a trans-isthmian passage. Hint

Spain

France

Canada

Colombia

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is the name of the lake formed by the canal?

Answer: (One Word (starts with G))

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Question 6 of 10

6. This Spanish ruler was the first to suggest the construction of a canal. Hint

King George

Queen Isabella

King Charles

Queen Mary

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Question 7 of 10

7. 100 million gallons of water are used in each transit of the canal.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. This man was in charge of the failed canal project in 1879. Who was it? Hint

Jon Van Hayes

William Gorgas

Ferdinand de Lesseps

Viggo Mirgon

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which one of these is NOT a set of locks of the Panama Canal? Hint

Gatun Locks

San Medio Locks

Pedro Miguel Locks

Miraflores Locks

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Question 10 of 10

10. 7,800 miles is cut off a journey from New York to San Francisco by using the canal.

True

False

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Oct 21 2024 : Guest 99: 5/10
Sep 25 2024 : Guest 81: 2/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On what date was the canal formally opened?

Answer: August 15, 1914

The cargo ship Ancon passed through the canal on August 15, 1914, although it wasn't actually the first ship to do so. The SS Cristobal went through two weeks earlier, on August 3rd.

2. Who was considered the "mastermind" behind the canal? (Hint - he designed the lock system for the Panama Canal).

Answer: John Stevens

John Stevens was the so called "genius" behind the construction of the Panama Canal. Unfortunately, he resigned his post before the completion of the project.

3. Which US president helped the Republic of Panama gain independence and received a lease of land around the "canal zone" on which the canal was built?

Answer: Theodore Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt was able to gain a land grant spanning 50 miles in Panama. On this land was built the modern day Canal.

4. Before the Americans built a successful canal this nation attempted to construct a trans-isthmian passage.

Answer: France

The French canal project officially began in 1879 and ten years later due to disease and bankruptcy was forced to be terminated.

5. What is the name of the lake formed by the canal?

Answer: Gatun

At the time of the canal's construction, Gatun Lake was the largest artificial lake in the world.

6. This Spanish ruler was the first to suggest the construction of a canal.

Answer: King Charles

King Charles ordered the Isthmus of Panama to be surveyed for a possible site for a canal in 1520. His surveyors concluded that such a passage was impossible to build.

7. 100 million gallons of water are used in each transit of the canal.

Answer: False

Only a minuscule 52 million gallons of water are used.

8. This man was in charge of the failed canal project in 1879. Who was it?

Answer: Ferdinand de Lesseps

Ferdinand de Lesseps was in charge of the construction of the Suez Canal. His project would eventually fail due to disease.

9. Which one of these is NOT a set of locks of the Panama Canal?

Answer: San Medio Locks

The Gatun locks consist of 3 pairs of locks, the Pedro Miguel locks account for one more pair of locks, and the Miraflores for two.

10. 7,800 miles is cut off a journey from New York to San Francisco by using the canal.

Answer: True

Obviously, the canal provides immense economic advantages as well as being much more convenient and safer than the journey round Cape Horn.

Source: Author nrs21

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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