A shipping canal 171 km (106 miles) long and without locks connecting the Mediterranean (at Port Said) with the Red Sea, constructed between 1859 and 1869 by Ferdinand de Lesseps. The canal, now important for Egypt’s economy as providing the shortest route for international sea traffic travelling between Europe and Asia, came under British control after Britain acquired majority shares in it, at Disraeli’s instigation, in 1875; after 1888 Britain acted as guarantor of its neutral status. It was nationalized by Egypt in 1956 and an Anglo-French attempt at intervention was called off after international protest (see suez war).

The New Suez Canal is a second 35 km shipping lane, opened in 2015, running parallel to the original one, allowing ships to pass in both directions simultaneously along part of the route, cutting transit time from 18 hours to 11 hours. It can also accommodate vessels with a deeper draught. There are also plans for six new tunnels for cars and trains running under the canal.