From the Strait of Hormuz to the Silk Roads: 15 Chokepoints That Ruled History

2. Suez Canal

The Suez Canal, completed in 1869, revolutionized maritime trade by providing a direct link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. This 193-kilometer (120-mile) waterway eliminated the need for ships to navigate the lengthy and perilous route around the Cape of Good Hope. Its strategic importance was underscored during the Suez Crisis of 1956, when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal, leading to significant international tensions. (britannica.com)