The significant construction project that linked the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea is the Suez Canal, completed in 1869. The canal was engineered by Ferdinand de Lesseps and revolutionized global trade by providing a shortcut for ships traveling between Europe and Asia, eliminating the need for the lengthy and perilous route around the southern tip of Africa. The canal facilitated increased economic interactions and contributed to the expansion of colonial empires. Its strategic importance led to various geopolitical conflicts, including the Suez Crisis of 1956. The Suez Canal remains a crucial maritime route today for international shipping.