# French Panama Canal works begin (1881)

URL: https://allhistories.com/colombia/timeline/1881-french-panama-canal-works-begin
Location: Colón, Panama
Themes: Economy

The French company led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, builder of the Suez Canal, begins large-scale excavation of a sea-level canal across Panama under a concession from the Colombian government. Thousands of workers, many from the Caribbean, are recruited, but yellow fever, malaria and landslides in the Culebra cut cause heavy loss of life and mounting costs.

## Why it matters
The French attempt made Panama the focus of global canal ambitions, with momentous consequences for Colombian sovereignty over the isthmus.

Ruler at the Time: [Rafael Núñez](https://allhistories.com/colombia/rulers/rafael-nunez)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — History of the Panama Canal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Panama_Canal)
- [Wikipedia — Panama Canal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal)
- [Wikipedia — New Granada & Federalism (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_Colombia)