In this article, I will take you through 25 Most Frequently Asked questions about Suez Canal. According to a report, around 12% of the world trade passes through the canal every year. Thus making the canal utmost important for the world trade. Earlier without the canal, all the ships had to transit through Africa's Cape of Good Hope which added the extra cost of travelling 6000 miles and hence increase in good's and transport price. Now with the construction of canal all these prices has been come down significantly. We will see some of the important questions related to this canal in below section.
25 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Suez Canal
Also Read: 25 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Panama Canal
1. What is Suez Canal ?
Ans. It is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt which connects Mediterranean with the Red Sea through Isthmus of Suez to provide ship transit between Asia and Africa.
2. Where is the Suez Canal located ?
Ans. It is located in Egypt.
3. How deep is the Suez Canal ?
Ans. 24m
4. How long is the Suez Canal ?
Ans. It is 193.30 km long.
5. Who owns the Suez Canal ?
Ans. Canal is owned and operated by the Suez Canal Authority.
6. How wide is the Suez Canal ?
Ans. 200-300 m
7. When was the Suez Canal built ?
Ans. 25 April 1859
8. Who built the Suez Canal ?
Ans. In 1854, Ferdinand de Lesseps received an Act of Concession from the viceroy (khedive) of Egypt to built the Canal.
9. How did the Ever Given ship got stuck in the Suez Canal ?
Ans. Ever Given was travelling through the Suez Canal, when it was caught in a sandstorm. The strong winds, which exceeded 40 kn (74 km/h 46 mph), resulted in the "loss of the ability to steer the ship", causing the hull to deviate. More on wikipedia.
10. Does the Suez Canal have locks ?
Ans. No, it doesn't have any locks.
11. Why is the Suez Canal Important ?
Ans. The Suez canal is a significant route for energy, commodities, consumer goods and component from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. The canal's location also makes it a key regional hub for shipping oil and other hydrocarbons.
12. Why was the Suez Canal built ?
Ans. It was built to create a short and direct route for shipping between Asia and Europe.
13. What does the Suez Canal connect ?
Ans. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
14. When did the Suez Canal open ?
Ans. It was opened in the year 1869.
15. How long is the Suez Canal in miles ?
Ans. In miles, the length of Suez Canal is 120.1 miles.
16. Is the Suez Canal man made ?
Ans. Yes
17. How long did it take to build the Suez Canal ?
Ans. It took around little more than 10 years to construct the Canal.
18. How old is the Suez Canal ?
Ans. It is around 153 years old.
19. Which Ship got Stuck in the Suez Canal ?
Ans. Ever Given
20. Why did Britain took control of the Suez Canal ?
Ans. The construction of Canal provided the faster sea route transport to India catering the long term strategic interest of British India.
21. Who controlled the Canal when it was Inaugurated in 1869 ?
Ans. It was under French Control.
22. Which ship was the first to pass through the Canal ?
Ans. An anchor line ship, the S.S Dido became the first to pass through the canal from south to north.
23. When was Suez Canal nationalized by the Egyptian President ?
Ans. It was nationalized on July 26, 1956.
24. Which Convention guaranteed the right of passage of all ships through the canal during war and peace ?
Ans. Convention of Constantinople
25. As of now, how many ships can pass through the canal in a day ?
Ans. After almost doubling the capacity now 97 ships can pass through the canal in a day.