How much did the French Canal Company aim to sell the canal zone for?

The French Canal Company aimed to sell the canal zone for $109 million, which reflects the ambitious financial expectations surrounding the construction of the Panama Canal. The project initially began with significant optimism, and the company invested heavily in its development. By the time the company faced insurmountable challenges, including engineering difficulties and high mortality rates among workers due to tropical diseases, the valuation placed upon the canal zone by the French highlighted the immense financial stakes and the strategic importance of this vital maritime passage. The subsequent sale of the canal zone to the United States for $10 million demonstrated the dramatic shift in perceived value, ultimately underscoring the complexities involved in such a massive infrastructure project, as well as the changing dynamics of international colonial interests.