Visit the Suez Canal in Egypt

First opened in 1869, The Suez Canal has improved access to Cairo from parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Add the majestic Suez Canal to your Cairo travel itinerary

The Suez Canal

What is the significance of the Suez Canal in Egypt? This canal was first opened in 1869 and was constructed with the purpose of facilitating water transportation between Europe and Asia, but without the circumnavigation of Africa. It also prevented carrying goods overland between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

The easiest way to understand the Suez Canal is that it is made up of seven parts from the northern to southern end of Great Bitter Lake, which links the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Suez on the Red Sea. The Suez Canal Authority, authorized by the country of Egypt, owns and operates the canal.

History

The history of the Suez Canal, or at least its planning stages, can be traced back to the BC era. During the 12th Dynasty of the Egyptian Empire, Pharaoh Senusret III was believed to have dug west to east through Wadi Tumilat, so that the River Nile could be joined with the Red Sea. Why? So that he could have direct trade with Land of Punt, as well as link the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

Many prominent civilizations and historical figures similarly fought to build and maintain this canal, including Necho, Darius, Ptolemy, Napoleon and Ferdinand Marie de Lesseps.

Size

The Suez Canal stretches over 100 miles from the Mediterranean Sea (specifically Port Said) to the Red Sea at the Gulf of Suez, in Suez, the seaport town.

At the canal’s narrowest point, it measures nearly 200 feet wide at the bottom and can handle ships as large as 150,000 tons. Historically, the canal is very significant as it helped to improve and expand maritime world trade forever. World leaders have always been fascinated by the Suez Canal from ancient times and even today.

Good to Know

The Suez Canal is also a widely visited tourist attraction. What should you know about visiting the Suez Canal? Obviously, because it stretches over 100 miles long you cannot expect to walk the canal entirely, unless you are traveling by ship.

Tourists recommend visiting the Canal at the seaport town of Suez. This can be an easy tour encompassing about a day’s worth of time, and is not out of the way. However, other tours also incorporate that Suez canal into their programs, along with sites like the Eastern Desert Monasteries.

Truthfully, the best way to really absorb the majesty of the Suez Canal is to go on an ocean cruise that highlights it.

The Suez Canal is also the most prominent object on earth that can be seen from outer space. Come feel the majesty of the Suez Canal in Egypt!

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