The Suez Canal

Connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez in the Red Sea, the 163 kilometers long, 300 meters wide The Suez Canal is one of the most important water canals in the world.

 Officially completed in 1869, the Suez Canal was built to connect both the Nile River and the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. The canal was first constructed in the 13^th century. “Later in 1858, the French diplomat and famous engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps convinced the Egyptian viceroy Said Pasha to support the building of the canal” Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. 2013, January 1. The deal was to build the canal by the French Universal Suez Ship Canal Company which was owned by a group of Egyptian and French people and to allow the company to operate the canal for 99 years until finally to hand the canal to the Egyptian government to take it over. With a cost of over one hundred million dollars at that time the building of the canal started in 1859 and lasted about ten years. 

To be able to assess the future of the canal one should read the past history and know how important the canal was for many countries around the world. The building of the canal has eased the world trade by shortening the distances ships have to travel. Over the past many conflicts the Egyptian governments have had with many countries. Since the canal will stay as an important passage way for trading ships to pass through it will be a political key site for the Egyptian government to play as a role.

The actual designer of the canal was Ferdinand de Lesseps. He created Suez Canal Company which became the actual builder of the canal. With the help of thirteen experts headed by John Mcclean these experts examined Negrili’s ideas of the construction and produced a final report of how the construction is going to be. With few changes and adjustment the construction. Over one and half million people began from all over the world began working on the Canal.

People building the canal faced many hash conditions. Among these conditions were the excessive heat, diseases like yellow Fever and Malaria. Other bad conditions were huger due to the shortage of food and water. Thousands of workers died because of these harsh conditions.

Building the Suez Canal wasn’t an easy task a though the materials were used in the building were simple ones. Hand picks, shovels dredgers, excavators and wheel barrows were the main material used shovels and hand picks were made locally and used y thousand of workers to dig and remove land. Transporting the dirt was done on camels which were used to take the dirt to the dumping sties.

In places that had geographical complications modified mechanics were used. Excavators designed by Contrives, a French contractor were used for this purpose.

The Suez Canal is considered one of the most important canals not just nowadays but also in the world’s history. Firstly the Suez Canal is recorded to be the first man made dug Canal in the world. Secondly, it is the first canal that directly links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. This enabled the countries of the world to trade easily by shortening the distance of traveling ships. Not mentioning the reduction in cost of shipping. Finally the Suez Canal has its importance to Egypt itself. It made the country of great geographical location connecting Europe with Asia, as well as bringing the country great revenue of shipping fees and an increase of tourism profits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. (2013, January 1). Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://geography.about.com

initiative, a. F. (2008, January 1).       Suez Canal Authority.            Suez Canal Authority. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/

initiative, a. F. (2008, January 1).       Suez Canal Authority.            Suez Canal Authority. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/sc.aspx?show=10

Luxner, L. (2004, January 1). Ezproxy Login. Ezproxy Login. Retrieved April 28, 2013, from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.hct.ac.ae/science/docview/220639132/13DB5ADAE7A76443C93/1?accountid=1215

Milner, L. (2011, March 3). BBC - History -                                      British History in depth: The Suez Crisis. BBC - Homepage. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/suez_01.shtml

Suez Canal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2013, April 19). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Canal

 

 

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