By connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Suez Canal significantly reduces the shipping distance between major ports such as London and Mumbai by about 7,000 kilometers (4,300 miles).
The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, which was opened in 1869. It serves as a critical strategic and economic waterway, allowing ships to travel between Europe and Asia without navigating around the African continent.
The canal connects two major seas:
The Mediterranean Sea: The northern entrance of the Suez Canal is at Port Said, which opens into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Red Sea: The southern entrance of the Suez Canal is at Port Tewfik in the city of Suez, which opens into the Gulf of Suez, a northern extension of the Red Sea.
Thus, the Suez Canal directly connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, making it a vital link between the Atlantic Ocean (via the Mediterranean) and the Indian Ocean (via the Red Sea).
The canal stretches approximately 193 kilometers (120 miles) and is one of the world's most heavily used shipping routes.
