Suez Canal

This man-made canal is one of the most important in the world, due to connecting its role in Asian to Europe through the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. The canal dates to the times of the pharaohs and has previously existed in many variations, but the most modern rendition was completed in 1856 under Ottoman rule. The canal serves as the lifeline for trade with Europe and the rest of the world. Many wars have been fought over it, but Egypt ultimately won all of them and kept it. Today, it's considered to be one of Egypt's national treasures and a symbol of Egypt’s resistance against colonial powers.