It is recorded that Egypt was the first country to dig
a canal across its land with a view to activate world
trade.
The first canal was dug under the reign of SENAUSRET III,
Pharao of Egypt (1887-1849 BC) linking the Mediterranean
Sea in the north with the Red sea in the south via the
river Nile and its branches.
The Canal often abandoned to silting and was successfully
reopened to navigation by SITY I (1310 BC), NKHAW (610
BC), Persian King DARIUSSLI POLEMY II (285 BC), Emperor
TRAJAN (117 AD) and AMRO IBN ELASS, following the Islamic
conquest.
In modern times the Suez Canal is actually the first
canal directly linking the Mediterranean to the Red
sea.
Excavation of the present Canal begun
on April 25, 1859 and was opened for international navigation
on November 17, 1869. The Canal has been closed five
times.
The longest period of closure was following the 1967
war, when the canal was closed during 8 years. The Canal
was reopened for navigation on June 5, 1975.
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