What does the Suez Canal allow?

The Suez Canal allows ships to take a shorter route between Europe and lands near the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. It is a waterway that runs north to south across the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas.

The Suez Canal separates Africa from Asia. The canal is 101 miles between Port Said to the north and Suez to the south. It has dredged approach channels north of Port Said into the Mediterranean and south of the Isthmus of Suez. The Suez Canal doesn't take the shortest route across the Isthmus of Suez, which is 75 miles. It utilizes several lakes, including Lake Manzala, Lake Timsah, Great Bitter Lake and Little Bitter Lake.