Miraflores (Panama)

The locks in operation

Main Building of the Miraflores Locks

The Hanjin Wilmington in transit through the Miraflores Locks traveling to the Pacific Ocean

Main article: Panama Canal locks

Miraflores is the name of one of the three locks that form part of the Panama Canal and the name of the small lake that separates these locks from the Pedro Miguel Locks upstream. In the Miraflores locks, vessels are lifted (or lowered) 54 feet (16.5 m) in two stages, allowing them to transit to or from the Pacific Ocean port of Balboa (near Panama City). Ships cross below the Puente de las Américas (Bridge of the Americas) which connects North and South America.

As of 2005, the following schedule was in effect for ship transit through the locks. From 06:00 to 15:15, ships travel from the Pacific towards the Atlantic. From 15:45 to 23:00 ships travel from the Atlantic towards the Pacific. At any other time, travel is permitted in both directions,

A modern visitor centre allows tourists to have a full view of the Miraflores locks operation. Binoculars are recommended to view the Pedro Miguel Locks in the distance. As of 2010, admittance for adults to the visitors centre costs US$5 (observation terrace) or $8 (supporting exhibits and video show added) with lower rates for children and senior citizens. Panama residents are admitted free of charge. Viewing a transit operation at the centre can take more than 30 minutes. A souvenir shop in the base level sells related merchandise. The centre closes at 17:00.

Panama Canal

Panama Canal map

km mi Atlantic Ocean(Caribbean Sea) 0 Atlantic Entrance,Manzanillo Bay Breakwater entrance 0 8.7 Port of Colon, Cristobal Colón, cruise terminal, MIT, Free Trade Zone, Airport 5.4 Cristobal harbor,Atlantic passenger station Third Bridge French Canal (abandoned 1904) 1.9 Gatun Locks(3 chambers), 26 m (85 ft) 1.2 Atlantic Locks(3 chambers; Water saving basins) 24.2 Gatun Lake 15.0 Gatun Dam,Chagres River (hydroelectricity, spillway) Gatun River, causeway, Monte Lirio bridge 8.5 Gamboa 5.3 Chagres River,Madden Dam, Lake Alajuela (hydroelectricity) 12.6 Culebra Cut(or Gaillard Cut) 7.8 Continental watershed, summit Centennial Bridge (Pan-American Highway) Pedro Miguel Locks(1 chamber), 9.5 m (31 ft) 0.9 Pacific Locks(3 chambers; Water saving basins) 1.7 Miraflores Lake 1.1 1.7 Miraflores Locks(2 chambers), 16.5 m (54 ft) 1.1 freshwater treatment plant, visitors center, spillway 13.2 Port of Balboa Diablo, Corozal passenger station, Airport, Terminal 8.2 dry dock, Balboa, Administration Building Bridge of the Americas (Arraiján–Panama City) total 77.1 Pacific Entrance total 47.9 Pacific Ocean(Gulf of Panama) Legend: Navigable canal(max draft: 39.5 feet (12.04 m) Third set of locks lane(under construction) Non-navigable water Dock, industrial or logistical area water flow direction Panama Canal Railway(passenger station, freight station) Village or town, feature

External links

• http://www.pancanal.com/eng/anuncios/cvm/index.html - Miraflores Visitor Center