Question

Study the map of Suez Canal and answer the following questions:

1. Name the two seas connected by the Suez Canal.
2. Why do we consider this as Europe’s gateway to the Indian Ocean?
3. Write one characteristic of the Suez Canal.

Answer 1

1. Mediterranean Sea and Red
2. This sea-route reduces direct distance between Liverpool and Colombo compared to the Cape of Good Hope route.
3. It is a sea-level canal without locks which is about 160 km and 11 to 15 m deep.
   • About 100 ships travel daily and each ship takes 10-12 hours to cross this canal. The tolls are so heavy.
   • A railway follows the canal to Suez, and from Ismailia there is a branch line to Cairo.
   • A navigable fresh-water canal from the Nile also joins the Suez Canal in Ismailia to supply fresh-water to Port Said and Suez.