What was a major issue that prevented the French Canal Company from building the Panama Canal?

The major issue that prevented the French Canal Company from successfully building the Panama Canal was indeed related to problems with location and finances. The French, led by Ferdinand de Lesseps who had previously completed the Suez Canal, faced immense challenges due to the difficult geography of the Panama region, characterized by jungles, mountains, and unsuitable terrain for canal construction.

Additionally, financial difficulties played a significant role. The project was plagued by an underestimation of costs, along with mismanagement and corruption, leading to severe budget overruns. The high incidence of diseases like malaria and yellow fever, which affected the workforce, contributed to low morale and high mortality rates, further straining financial resources and project timelines. This combination of geographic and financial obstacles ultimately led to the failure of the French attempt to construct the canal before the project was eventually taken over by the United States.