Panama votes to expand its famous canal

Residents in Panama voted in favour of extending the country's canal yesterday (October 22nd), which is now 92-years-old.

In a nationwide ballot, over two thirds of Panamanians voted in favour of the $5.2 billion (£2.76 billion) expansion project.

Modern gargantuan cargo ships are becoming too large for the canal's creaking waterways and often costly queues build up at its mouth.

The 50 mile link from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean was started by France, finished by the US and then officially owned by Panama in 1999.

There was widespread support for the planned expansion and many citizens walked around in 'Yes Vote' t-shirts.

One supporter, retired police officer Crispin Mayers, told Reuters: "My parents came from Jamaica to dig the big ditch. This is an important vote ... and I'd like to see it come out on top."

The Panama Canal is the main source of income for the country and it is hoped by the republic's president, Martin Torrijos, that the new expansion will lift sections of the country from poverty.

The canal is not only highly significant for commerce, but it is also the country's biggest tourist attraction.