The Suez Canal, completed in 1869, is a vital waterway linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas, significantly reducing travel time between Europe and Asia. Spanning 193 km (120 miles), it facilitates 14% of global trade and has played a pivotal role in international commerce and geopolitics for over a century. Continuous expansions, including a major 2015 upgrade, have enhanced its capacity. Despite challenges, the Suez Canal remains a crucial trade route, driving economic growth and shaping the future of global maritime transportation.
The Suez Canal is the biggest architectural achievement in the history of modern Egypt that acting as a vital waterway that connects different continents, thus creating an unstoppable road of international shipping, navigation, and trade. This waterway portal was able to change the face of existence that becoming the shortest maritime route to Asia from Asia and one of the most heavily used shipping lanes.
Since its completion in 1869 under the supervision of the French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps after ten years, this sea-level waterway was able to connect the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, then runs across the Isthmus of Suez. It became the shortest maritime route between Europe and the countries bordering the Indian and western Pacific oceans this becoming one of the busiest shipping waterways globally. The whole world was not the same, as a new gate was created to offer a shorter and less lengthy alternative to sailing around the southern tip of Africa.
The Suez Canal has long affected the entire civilization and created a positive impact, transforming the entire world into a hub of continuous movement of wealth. The Suez Canal acted as a critical chokepoint that can influence strong regional and global politics, which has always historically maintained control of the canal, and its security is of utmost importance to the international community.
The Isthmus of Suez is a relatively young geographical feature that serves as the only one of its kind land connection between the continents of Africa and Asia. Long ago, these two continents were one massive land. However, around 66 to 2.6 million years ago, geological changes occurred during the Paleogene and Neogene periods, leading to the formation of major fault structures in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba.
This caused the Red Sea to open up and eventually become submerged, forming the two incredible Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. During the last 2.6 million years, the Quaternary Period saw significant fluctuations in sea levels. As a result, the low-lying lands of isthmus gradually emerged and expanded northward, forming a flat coastal plain. At one stage, the Nile delta extended deep east because of heavy rainfall in the Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million - 11,700 years).
This led to the formation of two river branches, or distributaries, that led all the way to the northern isthmus. One of these branches reached the narrowest part of the marvelous land of the isthmus and flowed into the Mediterranean Sea, while the other entered the sea about 14.5 km (9 miles) east of Port Said.
The Suez Canal, also known as Qanāt al-Suways is a sea-level waterway that runs north to south across the Isthmus of Suez in order to connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. The water canal is known to separate the African continent from the Asian continent. It provides the shortest maritime path between the lands around the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The Suez Canal is the most used shipping route that extends 193 km (120 miles) between Suez City in the south and Port Said in the north, with raised approach channels leading north of Port Said into the south of Suez and the Mediterranean Sea.
The canal utilizes a number of lakes from north to south, known as Lake Timsah, Lake Manzala, the Bitter Lakes, and Little Bitter Lake. The Suez Canal acts as an open cut without locks; a number of extensive straight lengths occur where there are eight major bends. On the west of the canal is the low-lying Nile River delta, and on the east is the arid and higher Sinai Peninsula.
The concept of creating the Suez Canal was first made around 1850 BC when a great irrigation channel was built in the flood times which was known as Wadi Tumelat that is known to be a dry river valley found on the eastern side of the Nile Delta. This canal was enlarged by the Ptolemaic kings through the Bitter Lakes, leading to the Red Sea. A northward arm showcased from lake timsah that reached a former branch of the Nile River which was then extended by the romans under the name Trajan’s Canal that was reopened by the Abbāsid caliphs for military causes in 775 AD plus to encourage and easy the process of trade between the delta and the red sea and not only offer a passage leading to the Mediterranean sea.
During the glorious centuries of 15th, 17th, and 18th the Venetians and the French made a plan to create an epic canal that would lead through the Isthmus will making it possible for the ships to sail directly from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. During the French occupation of Egypt between 1798 and 1801, the French made the first survey across the isthmus, where Napoleon searched and uncovered the remains of the ancient Egyptian canal.
J.M. Le Père, the chief lines-of-communication engineer of Napoleon, calculated all the needed measures to recreate the canal. More studies were done in 1834 and 1846. Saʿīd Pasha, the viceroy “khedive” of Egypt in 1854 AD began to create the canal, and in 1856, the Suez Canal Company held the right to own and operate this maritime channel for the next 99 years.
The canal, when completed was made of, was 22 meters (72 feet) broad at the bottom, 8 meters (26 feet) deep, and 61 to 91 meters (200 to 300 feet) wide at the top. A number of passing bays were built around every 8 to 10 km (5 to 6 miles) to allow the passing of ships across each other. About 97 million cubic yards of sediments were dug up and dredged. Many renovations and improvements were created in the late 19th and 20th centuries as Over the years, to meet the demands of growing maritime trade and accommodate larger vessels, several expansion and modernization projects have been undertaken.
The passing bays and bypass areas were renovated and enlarged in order to help in the regrouping of giant ships in the congested areas. The most significant of these projects was the 35-km (22-mile) expansion in 2015, which involved widening and deepening certain sections of the canal to create two-way transit to allow the passage of larger ships, which cost about US$9 billion.
The Suez Canal continues to be a vital waterway in the 21st century, and its importance is expected to grow even further with increasing global trade and shipping. Egypt has expressed plans for further development and expansion to meet the demands of the needs of the future. These development projects aim to enhance the canal's capacity, efficiency, and security, ensuring its continued relevance in the ever-changing dynamics of international trade.
The Suez Canal, since its creation, has played a transformative role in global trade and shipping, which reduced the distance and time required for ships to travel between Europe and Asia, making it one of the busiest and most economically significant waterways on earth. More than 15000 ships across through the Suez Canal every year, which represents 14% of the global economy which taking close to 16 hours for every ship to cross, thus saving weeks and months in time.
This accessibility has fostered a rapid increase in trade and economic cooperation between different cultures and regions, allowing goods to be transported more efficiently and at reduced costs. The canal became fully operational in 1870 with 486 transits a day. With time the size of the ships increased and was able to carry more cargo from 444,000 metric tons (437,000 long tons) in 1870 to 278,400,000 metric tons (274,000,000 long tons) in 1966, to 355,600,000 metric tons (350,000,000 long tons) in 1980, and 139,630,000 metric tons (1,121,163,000 long tons) in 2018. In the mid-1980s, there were around 50 daily transits through the route, but the total yearly tonnage remained at approximately 355.6 million metric tons (or 350 million long tons).
Fast forward to 2018, the number of transits increased to 18,174, carrying a total of about 1,139.6 million metric tons (or 1,121.2 million long tons). With the development of time, many efforts were made to shrink down the time of the transit time, which is handled by two pilots for each, which is controlled by Radar. The development of the canal made it incredibly easy and quick to transport materials and create major shifts in world trade. The shift of trade from Europe to Japan and East Asia in Australasia has caused a decline in canal traffic.
However, there is still some oil transportation, mainly going to India from refineries in Russia, southern Europe, and Algeria. Additionally, the shipment of dry goods like grain, ores, and metals has increased. Recently, container and roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) traffic through the canal has been on the rise, especially heading to the congested ports of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
The main northbound cargoes include crude petroleum, coal, ores, petroleum products, wood, metals, cereals, oilseeds, and oilseed cake. Southbound trade consists of fertilizers, cement, grains, manufactured metals, and empty oil tankers. The success and major influence of the Suez Canal led to the creation of the Panama Canal, which was constructed by the French.
The construction took about 10 years from 1859, and the digging was mostly accomplished by hand through thousands of forced labour; then later, steam shovels and dredgers operated by European workers were integrated into the working process. The waterway was completed around August 1869, and in the same year in 17 November an inauguration ceremony was held. The Suez Canal acted as an Egyptian joint-stock company where the French owned 52%, 44% was owned by Saʾīd Pasha, and a board of directors from 14 countries owned the rest.
Ismail Pasha sold his inherited holdings in 1875 to the British government, where the share was sold for around 500 francs each, and in 1900 each share was valued at more than 3,600 francs. In 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, and the Egyptian government has had total control since then. The main purpose of Suez Canal was to serve an international center for world trade, which proven to be vital for the world shipping business, that’s why the convention of Constantinople was signed in 1888 to state that the canal is open to all of ships from all nation during the times of war and peace.
During the First and Second World Wars, all belligerents were allowed to cross the open canal. The military and naval superiority of the allied forces prevented the ships of Germany and its allies from making any effective use of the Suez Canal.
The Suez Canal remains a vital conduit for global trade, connecting continents and enabling efficient maritime transportation between Europe and Asia. Its historical significance, combined with ongoing development efforts, ensures that the Suez Canal will continue to play a central role in shaping international trade and geopolitics well into the 21st century. However, it also faces challenges that require careful management and conservation to preserve its ecological integrity while meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
Our incredible Egypt Tour packages and magical nile river cruises, will be the key for everyone to discover all the magical wonders that make Egypt the greatest travel destination on earth
From: US$430
Private 4 Days Cairo Tour Packages for New Zealander Travelers 4 days Cairo Egypt To...
Tour Location: Cairo – Giza...
From: US$550
5 Days Cairo and Alexandria Tour Package For New Zealander Travelers 5 days Cairo an...
Tour Location: Cairo/Giza/Alexandria...
From: US$1040
6 Days Cairo, Luxor & Aswan Tour Package For New Zealander Travelers 6 days Cair...
Tour Location: Cairo/Giza/Aswan/Luxor...
From: US$1010
Amazing 7 Days Cairo and Hurghada Holiday for New Zealander Travelers 7 Days Cairo &...
Tour Location: Cairo – Giza – Hurgh...
The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
The Meidum pyramid is without a doubt is the most unusual-looking pyramid, Read more facts about the Meid...
The tomb of Ramses IV (KV2) is known for its simplistic design and decoration. Read more facts about Rams...
Investigate Wadi El Natrun’s geography, location, hotel options, camping, weather, and captivating fact...
© Copyright Egypt Tours Portal 2025.
