17 nov 1869 - Suez Canel Opens

Description:

An artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. The canal is part of the Silk Road that connects Europe with Asia. A journey to Mecca via Port Said, Egypt and Temasek could take no more than a fortnight; thus these cities became major ports for the Hajj pilgrimage.