The structure built to connect the Mediterranean and Red Seas is the Suez Canal. Completed in 1869, this artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt allows ships to travel between Europe and Asia without having to navigate around Africa. The canal significantly reduces travel times and has had enormous impacts on international trade and shipping routes. The Suez Canal is a vital economic channel, facilitating the passage of numerous cargo ships and boosting the economies of the countries involved. Its strategic importance continues to be a point of geopolitical interest in the region.