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The '''Suez Canal''' is a man-made [[ship]] canal dug across the isthmus of Suez in [[Egypt]]. It is a strategic passageway between the [[Nile River|Nile]] and the [[Sinai Penninsula]] that connects the [[Red Sea]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]].

The '''Suez Canal''' is a man-made [[ship]] canal dug across the isthmus of Suez in [[Egypt]]. It is a strategic passageway between the [[Nile River|Nile]] and the [[Sinai Penninsula]] that connects the [[Red Sea]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]].  The completion of the canal eliminated the need to ships to travel around Africa.

The canal was built by the [[French]] Suez Canal Company (Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez). Ferdinand de Lesseps completed the canal in 1869 after nearly 11 years work.

The canal was built by the [[French]] Suez Canal Company (Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez). Ferdinand de Lesseps completed the canal in 1869 after nearly 11 years work.

It's strategic importance led to the [[British]] conquest of Egypt in 1882.  The canal came under British protection after [[The Convention of Constantinople]] in 1888.

It's strategic importance led to the [[British]] conquest of Egypt in 1882.  The canal came under British protection after [[The Convention of Constantinople]] in 1888. The last British troops were removed on June 13, 1956.  The potential for an all out war over the canal led to the first [[United Nations]] peacekeeping force to be deployed to the area.    The month following the British pullout Egypt nationalized the canal.  French and British stockholders eventually received some compensation for their losses.

 

[[Category:Canals]]

[[Category:Canals]]

[[Category:Egypt]]

[[Category:Egypt]]