Suezcsatornán

The Suez Canal, known in Hungarian as *Suez-csatorna*, is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez. Completed in 1869, it significantly shortened maritime travel between Europe and Asia by eliminating the need to navigate around Africa’s southern tip. The canal spans approximately 193 kilometers (120 miles) and is a vital global trade route, handling roughly 12% of world maritime traffic annually.

Construction began under the leadership of French diplomat and engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, who secured Egyptian financing and labor. The project faced immense challenges, including harsh desert conditions, disease, and logistical difficulties, resulting in the deaths of thousands of workers. After years of construction, the canal was officially opened on November 17, 1869, with great fanfare and international attention.

The Suez Canal is operated and maintained by the Suez Canal Authority, an Egyptian state-owned organization. It is a critical economic asset for Egypt, generating substantial revenue through tolls. The canal’s strategic importance was highlighted during the Suez Crisis of 1956, when it was blockaded by British, French, and Israeli forces following Egypt’s nationalization of the canal. The crisis led to a brief military occupation before international pressure forced a withdrawal.

In recent decades, the canal has undergone multiple expansions, including the New Suez Canal project completed in 2015, which created a parallel shipping lane to increase capacity and efficiency. The canal remains a cornerstone of global trade, facilitating the movement of goods between major economic regions and playing a key role in geopolitical and economic dynamics.