Miraflores (Panama)

Panama Canal Legend km mi Atlantic Ocean(Caribbean Sea) 0 Atlantic Entrance,Manzanillo Bay Breakwater entrance 8.7 5.4 Port of Colón (Cristóbal) Colón, cruise terminal, MIT, Free Trade Zone, airport Cristóbal harbor,Atlantic passenger station Third Bridge or Atlantic bridge 1.9 1.2 Gatun Locks3 chambers, +26 m (85 ft) new Atlantic Locks(3 chambers; water saving basins) Gatun Dam,Chagres River hydroelectricity, spillway 24.2 15.0 Gatun Lake Gatún River, causeway, Monte Lirio bridge 8.5 5.3 Gamboa Chagres River,Madden Dam, Alajuela Lake with hydroelectricity 12.6 7.8 Culebra Cut(Gaillard Cut) Continental watershed, summit Centennial Bridge (Pan-American Highway via Panama City) 1.4 0.9 Pedro Miguel Locks1 chamber, +9.5 m (31 ft) new Pacific Locks(3 chambers; water saving basins) 1.7 1.1 Miraflores Lake 1.7 1.1 Miraflores Locks2 chambers, +16.5 m (54 ft); spillway 13.2 8.2 Port of Balboa Diablo, Corozal passenger station, Airport, Terminal Balboa   total Bridge of the Americas (Arraiján–Panama City) 77.1 47.9 Pacific Entrance Pacific Ocean(Gulf of Panama)  Legend  Navigable canal(maximum draft: 39.5 feet (12.0 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) City, village or town

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 in Panama City. Ships cross below the 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 toward the Atlantic. From 15:45 to 23:00, ships travel from the Atlantic toward the Pacific. At any other time, travel is permitted in both directions.

A visitors center 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 center costs US$5 (observation terrace) or $8 (including supporting exhibits and video show), with lower rates for children and senior citizens. Panamanian residents are admitted free of charge. Viewing a transit operation at the centre can take more than 30 minutes. A souvenir shop on the ground level sells related merchandise. The centre closes at 17:00.

Gallery

• Play media

  The locks in operation

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  USS Missouri passing through the Miraflores locks in 1945

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  Main building of the Miraflores locks

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  The Hanjin Wilmington in transit through the Miraflores locks toward the Pacific Ocean

External links

• Miraflores visitors center

View from visitors center

Coordinates: 8°59′49.474″N 79°35′30.73″W / 8.99707611°N 79.5918694°W / 8.99707611; -79.5918694