Economy · World Atlas
Canals & seaways of the world
What the world digs up, grows, makes and ships, and the routes it all moves on.
Numbered as on the map
The 3 on the map
1. Kiel Canal
North Sea
Known forThe busiest artificial waterway by vessel count
Saves the passage round Denmark, and is the busiest artificial waterway in the world by vessel count.
SettingNorth Sea → Baltic Sea
For the examGerman. Distinguish from the Danish Straits — Skagerrak and Kattegat — which are the natural route.
2. Panama Canal
Atlantic Ocean
Known forLocks, and a ship sails south-east to reach the Pacific
A lock canal, opened 1914, lifting ships 26 m to Gatun Lake and down again. Because the isthmus bends, a ship transiting to the Pacific travels south-EAST.
SettingAtlantic Ocean → Pacific Ocean
For the examLocks, unlike Suez. The Culebra (Gaillard) Cut and Gatun Lake are the named features.
3. Suez Canal
Mediterranean Sea
Known forNo locks, and the Africa-Asia boundary
A sea-level canal with no locks, opened 1869, which cut the Europe–Asia voyage by roughly 7,000 km. It is the boundary between Africa and Asia.
SettingMediterranean Sea → Red Sea
For the examNo locks — that is the contrast with Panama. The Great Bitter Lake lies along it; Port Said is the northern mouth and Suez the southern.
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