History of the Suez Canal
Construction of the Suez Canal began in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1854, French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps acquired permission from Egypt’s government to develop the canal. Construction began in 1859, under the guidance of de Lesseps and his Suez Canal Company.
- The Suez Canal was officially inaugurated on November 17, 1869, following ten years of labor-intensive construction.
- The canal was approximately 120 miles (193 km) long and included a system of locks to handle ships of different sizes.
- The Suez Canal Company first operated the canal under French and British administration.
- However, in 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal, establishing Egyptian control over this important waterway.
- This action caused the Suez Crisis, during which Egypt successfully rejected attempts by the United Kingdom, France, and Israel to regain control.
- After the Suez Crisis, the canal remained under Egyptian authority but was open to international shipping.
- Today, the Suez Canal remains an important part of world trade, acting as an essential link for transporting goods, mainly oil and natural gas, between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Suez Canal – History, Importance, and Impact on Global Trade
The Suez Canal serves as an important economic route between Asia and Europe. It is a major transport route for energy, commodities, consumer goods, and equipment from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. Due to its unique geographical location, the Suez Canal is regarded as the shortest link between the east and west. Since its completion in 1869, it has been one of the world’s busiest maritime lanes. The Suez Canal connects north and south across the Isthmus of Suez in north-eastern Egypt.
In this article, we will look into the meaning, map, history, crisis, economic importance, geopolitical impact, and key facts about the Suez Canal.
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