The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt. The Canal, which is 123km long, stretches from its northern terminus at Port Said to the city of Suez on the Red Sea. The Canal is used by over 17,000 vessels annually.
Several canals had been constructed in the Suez area dating back to almost 2000 BC. The first survey of the Isthmus of Suez, with a view to building a canal, was carried out by the French who occupied Egypt (1898-1801) under Napoleon. Over 50 year later work began on the construction of the Suez Canal in 1859. The Canal, which was designed by Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps, took 10 years to build.
Though the Suez Canal was not officially opened until November 17th 1869, the first ship passed through the canal in the year 1867 On This Day.

Photo by Luigi Rosa
Canale di Suez / Suez canal
Suez Canal