An artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez. Constructed by the Suez Canal Company between 1859 and 1869, it offers ships a direct route between North Atlantic and northern Indian Oceans without having to circumnavigate Africa.
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The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Completed in 1869 under the leadership of French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, it was built by the Universal Suez Ship Canal Company. The canal's construction reflected the imperialist interests of the time, as it significantly reduced travel time between Europe and Asia, bypassing the lengthy Cape of Good Hope route.
The Suez Canal had profound implications for international trade and naval strategy, becoming a critical artery for commerce and military movements. It underscored European powers' scramble for control over strategic territories and resources. Its significance was further highlighted during crises such as the 1956 Suez Crisis, which emphasized its role in Cold War dynamics and decolonization, as countries like Egypt sought to assert national sovereignty over critical infrastructure.