FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2023-78 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (April 25, 2023) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps from Steve Kovacs, we celebrate the beginning of a big dig to create a shorter trip.

Short Cut

Who does not like short cuts?

The Suez Canal in Egypt offers a major shortcut for ships sailing between Asia and Europe.

This was a relatively easy dig at sea level between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The progress was about 12 miles a year for the 120-mile-long canal which had its construction started on April 25, 1859 by French engineers.

This is far from the earliest canals intended for cargo ships.  The Mesopotamians dug such structures in 8th to 5th century BC. 

Blaeu’s map from 1650 shows the general area for the Suez Canal.  As was often for the time period north was not to the top.  It is to the left in this case.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.