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Why did the Suez Canal provide a shorter route between Europe and Asia?
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Red Sea
Map showing the Red Sea and the countries surrounding it. The Red Sea is one of the most heavily traveled waterways in the world. It is about 1,200 miles (1,930 km) long, and its maximum width is about 190 miles (305 km).
The Suez Canal provides a shorter maritime route between Europe and Asia by creating a direct, lockless passage across the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt.123
By connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, the canal allows ships to travel between these two regions without having to navigate the long and arduous journey around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. Since its completion in 1869, this strategic waterway has served as a critical artery for global trade, significantly reducing travel time and distance for maritime shipping.1423