when was the suez canel built?

Answer 1

Perhaps as early as the 12th Dynasty, Pharaoh Senusret III (1878 BC - 1839 BC) may have had a west-east canal dug through the Wadi Tumilat, joining the Nile with the Red Sea, for direct trade with Punt, and thus allowing trade indirectly between the Red Sea and Mediterranean. Evidence indicates its existence at least by the 13th century BC during the time of Ramesses II (see [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]). It later fell into disrepair, and according to the Histories of the Greek historian Herodotus, re-excavation was undertaken about 600 BC by Necho II; though Necho II never completed his project.

The canal was finally completed by Darius I, the Persian conqueror of Egypt. According to Herodotus, the completed canal was wide enough such that two triremes could pass each other with oars extended, and that the length of the canal was a voyage of 4 days. Darius commemorated his achievement with a number of granite stelae that he set up on the Nile bank, including one near Kabret, 130 miles from Pie. The Darius Inscriptions read:

Saith King Darius: I am a Persian. Setting out from Persia, I conquered Egypt. I ordered this canal dug from the river called the Nile that flows in Egypt, to the sea that begins in Persia. When the canal had been dug as I ordered, ships went from Egypt through this canal to Persia, even as I intended. [6]

It was again restored by Ptolemy II about 250 BC. Over the next 1000 years it was successively modified, destroyed and rebuilt, until finally being put out of commission in the eighth century by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mansur.



Although here is an up to date account of more recent events of the canal.



Circa 1799 — Napoleon I of France conquered Egypt and ordered a feasibility analysis. This reported a supposed 10 metre difference in sea levels, and a high estimated cost, so the project was set on standby.
Circa 1840 — A second survey demonstrated that the first one was erroneous; a direct link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea would be possible and would not be as expensive as expected.
Circa 1854 — The French consul in Cairo, Ferdinand Marie de Lesseps, created the "Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez".
25 Apr 1859 — The French were officially allowed to begin the canal construction (Said Pacha acquired 22% of the Suez Canal Company, the rest of the shares were controlled by French private holders).
16 Nov 1869 — The Suez Canal opened; operated and owned by Suez Canal Company.
25 Nov 1875 — Britain became a minority share holder in the Suez Company, acquiring 44% of the Suez Canal Company. The rest of the shares were controlled by French syndicates.
25 Aug 1882 — Britain took control of the canal.
14 Nov 1936 — Suez Canal Zone established, under British control.
13 Jun 1956 — Suez Canal Zone restored to Egypt.
26 Jul 1956 — Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal.
5 Nov 1956 to 22 Dec 1956 — French, British, and Israeli forces occupied the Suez Canal Zone.
22 Dec 1956 — Restored to Egypt.
5 June 1967 to 5 June 1975 — Canal closed and blockaded by Egypt.
10 April 1975 — Suez Canal reopened.

Answer 2

It opened in 1869, but had been in the making since ancient times.

Answer 3

It was opened in 1869. There is a good article on Wickopedia,