Art and its derivative forms are considered its creator's vision or perception of reality. However, functional structures transcend aesthetic use alone; -their performance of a unique function adds another dimension to their beauty. The purpose of this article is to highlight the significance of the Panama Canal as an architectural, historical and artistic wonder of the world; worthy of its place as one of the seven engineering feats of the 20th century. To justify its inclusion as an element worthy of being covered in future courses, it will be justified from a historical, architectural and artistic perspective. On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal opened, connecting the two largest oceans in the world, and firmly positioning The United States as the next global superpower. American ingenuity and innovation had succeeded where, 15 years earlier, the French had failed disastrously. The United States, however, paid a cost normally associated with a Pyrrhic victory; a decade of relentless, backbreaking work, an expenditure of over $350 million (the largest federal expenditure in history up to that point), and the loss of over 5,000 lives. Central America also witnessed the brazen overthrow of a sovereign government, the influx of more than 55,000 workers from around the world, the removal of hundreds of millions of tons of earth, and engineering innovations on an unprecedented scale. The construction of the Canal was the emblem of man's domination over nature. The result of its completion, however, meant that for the first time there was an international waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, via the Caribbean Ocean. This route simplified the passage of ships between these two bodies of water, cutting through the Isthmus of Panama. ...... middle of paper ...... The channel should be included to demonstrate that architectural wonders were not only limited to ancient civilizations, but are also present in the 20th century. It also shows the wonder of man's complete mastery over nature, which is an element of art and architecture not represented in the course. Works Cited Panama Canal Authority. (2013). Panama Canal. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.pancanal.com/eng/history/murals/Scientific American by Daniel C. Schlenoff – (November 10, 2012), The PanamaCanal: The World's Greatest Engineering Project http:// www. scientificamerican.com/slideshow.cfm?id=panama-canal-the-worlds-greatest-engineering-projectA tale of two projects: the Canal of Panama and the Birth of Project and Risk Management by Tom Kendrick, PMP, Program Manager – (2012) http://www.failureproofprojects.com/Panama2006.pdf Accessed February 21, 2013