Suez Canal

Friday, July 6

Size: Approx. 386,669 sq miles... slightly more than three times the size of Mexico.

Population: 80,335,036 (est. 2007)

Language: Arabic (official), English and French

Capital: Cairo

Government: Republic 

Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Our cost to transit:  The Captain advised that the transit cost Princess 456,000USD!

The formal opening of the Canal was celebrated in November 1869. The first ship to pass through was the Aigle, carrying the Empress Eugenie of France. A long procession of 68 ships from many nations followed, with much fanfare.

The Canal rapidly became a commercial triumph, and the Canal Company grew wealthy. Khedive Ismail, however, fell on bad times because of huge debts.

The Canal was defended during both World Wars, but continued feuding over the Canal Company led to the Suez crisis of 1956, when troops from Britain, France, and Israel attacked Egypt. The Eisenhower administration negotiated their withdrawal, with the help of the U.N.

The Canal was closed between the two Arab-Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973. The channel was blocked by mines, trapped ships, and artillery fire.

It was not until Henry Kissinger worked out a truce that the Canal was cleared and re-opened with help from the United States.  Since that time, the Canal has again resumed operations with gusto, and substantial improvements have followed.

The main channel has been widened and deepened, with several bypasses added. Now traffic can proceed in both directions, without requiring one ship to tie up while the other passes alongside.

The Suez Canal continues to be one of the busiest shipping routes on the globe, and a marvel of modern engineering.

 

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