History: Building Suez Canal (Ask.com Geography)

Radko C. (United States of America)
104 words 6 learners

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words only definitions & notes
  1. canal
    long and narrow strip of water for boats or for irrigation
    Suez Canal Connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea
  2. connect
    fasten or put together two or more pieces
    Suez Canal Connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea
  3. center
    an area that is in the middle of some larger region
    Egptian Suez Canal Has Been Center of Conflict
  4. conflict
    an open clash between two opposing groups
    Egptian Suez Canal Has Been Center of Conflict
  5. transportation
    the act of moving something from one location to another
    See More About: suez canal egypt transportation geography political geography
  6. geography
    study of the earth's surface
    See More About: suez canal egypt transportation geography political geography
  7. political
    involving or characteristic of governing or social power
    See More About: suez canal egypt transportation geography political geography
  8. transit
    a journey
    The guided missile destroyer USS Scott transits the Suez Canal.
  9. image
    a visual representation produced on a surface
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  10. embroidery
    decorative needlework
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  11. supply
    circulate or distribute or equip with
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  12. discount
    an amount or percentage deducted
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  13. embroider
    decorate with needlework
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  14. cruise
    travel about for pleasure, relaxation, or sightseeing
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  15. consider
    think about carefully; weigh
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  16. invest
    lay out money or resources in an enterprise
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  17. instant
    a very short time
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  18. background
    the part of a scene behind objects in the front
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  19. search
    look or seek
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  20. register
    an official written record of names or events
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  21. code
    a set of rules or principles or laws
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  22. locate
    determine the place of by searching or examining
    The Suez Canal (map), located in Egypt, is a 101 mile (163 km) long canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez, a northern branch of the Red Sea.
  23. gulf
    an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land
    The Suez Canal (map), located in Egypt, is a 101 mile (163 km) long canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez, a northern branch of the Red Sea.
  24. branch
    a division of a stem arising from the main stem of a plant
    The Suez Canal (map), located in Egypt, is a 101 mile (163 km) long canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez, a northern branch of the Red Sea.
  25. officially
    in an authoritative role
    It officially opened in November 1869.
  26. construction
    the act of building something
    Suez Canal Construction History
  27. complete
    having all necessary qualities
    Although the Suez Canal wasn't officially completed until 1869, there is a long history of interest in connecting both the Nile River in Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
  28. area
    the extent of a two-dimensional surface within a boundary
    It is believed that the first canal in the area was constructed between the Nile River delta and the Red Sea in the 13th Century B.C.E.
  29. construct
    make by combining materials and parts
    It is believed that the first canal in the area was constructed between the Nile River delta and the Red Sea in the 13th Century B.C.E.
  30. century
    a period of 100 years
    It is believed that the first canal in the area was constructed between the Nile River delta and the Red Sea in the 13th Century B.C.E.
  31. original
    preceding all others in time
    During the 1,000 years following its construction, the original canal was neglected and its use finally stopped in the 8th Century.
  32. neglected
    lacking a caretaker
    During the 1,000 years following its construction, the original canal was neglected and its use finally stopped in the 8th Century.
  33. modern
    ahead of the times
    The first modern attempts to build a canal came in the late 1700s when Napoleon Bonaparte conducted an expedition to Egypt.
  34. attempt
    make an effort
    The first modern attempts to build a canal came in the late 1700s when Napoleon Bonaparte conducted an expedition to Egypt.
  35. conduct
    the way a person behaves toward other people
    The first modern attempts to build a canal came in the late 1700s when Napoleon Bonaparte conducted an expedition to Egypt.
  36. expedition
    an organized group of people undertaking a journey
    The first modern attempts to build a canal came in the late 1700s when Napoleon Bonaparte conducted an expedition to Egypt.
  37. control
    power to direct or determine
    He believed that building a French controlled canal on the Isthmus of Suez would cause trade problems for the British as they would either have to pay dues to France or continue sending goods over land or around the southern part of Africa.
  38. isthmus
    a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas
    He believed that building a French controlled canal on the Isthmus of Suez would cause trade problems for the British as they would either have to pay dues to France or continue sending goods over land or around the southern part of Africa.
  39. trade
    the commercial exchange of goods and services
    He believed that building a French controlled canal on the Isthmus of Suez would cause trade problems for the British as they would either have to pay dues to France or continue sending goods over land or around the southern part of Africa.
  40. problem
    a question raised for consideration or solution
    He believed that building a French controlled canal on the Isthmus of Suez would cause trade problems for the British as they would either have to pay dues to France or continue sending goods over land or around the southern part of Africa.
  41. measurement
    assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
    Studies for Napoleon's canal plan began in 1799 but a miscalculation in measurement showed the sea levels between the Mediterranean and the Red Seas as being too different for a canal to be feasible and construction immediately stopped.
  42. level
    a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
    Studies for Napoleon's canal plan began in 1799 but a miscalculation in measurement showed the sea levels between the Mediterranean and the Red Seas as being too different for a canal to be feasible and construction immediately stopped.
  43. feasible
    capable of being done with means at hand
    Studies for Napoleon's canal plan began in 1799 but a miscalculation in measurement showed the sea levels between the Mediterranean and the Red Seas as being too different for a canal to be feasible and construction immediately stopped.
  44. immediately
    without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
    Studies for Napoleon's canal plan began in 1799 but a miscalculation in measurement showed the sea levels between the Mediterranean and the Red Seas as being too different for a canal to be feasible and construction immediately stopped.
  45. occur
    come to pass
    The next attempt to build a canal in the area occurred in the mid-1800s when a French diplomat and engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps, convinced the Egyptian viceroy Said Pasha to support the building of a canal.
  46. diplomat
    an official engaged in international negotiations
    The next attempt to build a canal in the area occurred in the mid-1800s when a French diplomat and engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps, convinced the Egyptian viceroy Said Pasha to support the building of a canal.
  47. engineer
    a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve problems
    The next attempt to build a canal in the area occurred in the mid-1800s when a French diplomat and engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps, convinced the Egyptian viceroy Said Pasha to support the building of a canal.
  48. convinced
    having a strong belief or conviction
    The next attempt to build a canal in the area occurred in the mid-1800s when a French diplomat and engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps, convinced the Egyptian viceroy Said Pasha to support the building of a canal.
  49. viceroy
    governor who rules as the representative of a sovereign
    The next attempt to build a canal in the area occurred in the mid-1800s when a French diplomat and engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps, convinced the Egyptian viceroy Said Pasha to support the building of a canal.
  50. universal
    applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
    In 1858, the Universal Suez Ship Canal Company was formed and given the right to begin construction of the canal and operate it for 99 years, after which time, the Egyptian government would take over control of the canal.
  51. operate
    perform as expected when applied
    In 1858, the Universal Suez Ship Canal Company was formed and given the right to begin construction of the canal and operate it for 99 years, after which time, the Egyptian government would take over control of the canal.
  52. founding
    the act of starting something for the first time
    At its founding, the Universal Suez Ship Canal Company was owned by French and Egyptian interests.
  53. significant
    rich in implication
    Almost immediately after its opening, the Suez Canal had a significant impact on world trade as goods were moved around the world in record time.
  54. impact
    the striking of one body against another
    Almost immediately after its opening, the Suez Canal had a significant impact on world trade as goods were moved around the world in record time.
  55. record
    anything providing permanent evidence about past events
    Almost immediately after its opening, the Suez Canal had a significant impact on world trade as goods were moved around the world in record time.
  56. debt
    the state of owing something, especially money
    In 1875, debt forced Egypt to sell its shares in ownership of the Suez Canal to the United Kingdom.
  57. international
    concerning or belonging to two or more countries
    However, an international convention in 1888 made the canal available for all ships from any nation to use.
  58. convention
    the act of meeting formally
    However, an international convention in 1888 made the canal available for all ships from any nation to use.
  59. available
    obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service
    However, an international convention in 1888 made the canal available for all ships from any nation to use.
  60. arise
    move upward
    Shortly thereafter, conflicts began to arise over use and control of the Suez Canal.
  61. example
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
    In 1936 for example, the U.K. was given the right to maintain military forces in the Suez Canal Zone and control entry points.
  62. maintain
    keep in a certain state, position, or activity
    In 1936 for example, the U.K. was given the right to maintain military forces in the Suez Canal Zone and control entry points.
  63. military
    the armed forces of a nation
    In 1936 for example, the U.K. was given the right to maintain military forces in the Suez Canal Zone and control entry points.
  64. zone
    an area or region distinguished from adjacent parts
    In 1936 for example, the U.K. was given the right to maintain military forces in the Suez Canal Zone and control entry points.
  65. entry
    the act of going in
    In 1936 for example, the U.K. was given the right to maintain military forces in the Suez Canal Zone and control entry points.
  66. contract
    a binding agreement that is enforceable by law
    In 1954, Egypt and the U.K. signed a seven year contract that resulted in the withdrawal of British forces from the canal area and allowed Egypt to take control of the former British installations.
  67. withdrawal
    the act of pulling back
    In 1954, Egypt and the U.K. signed a seven year contract that resulted in the withdrawal of British forces from the canal area and allowed Egypt to take control of the former British installations.
  68. allow
    make it possible for something to happen
    In 1954, Egypt and the U.K. signed a seven year contract that resulted in the withdrawal of British forces from the canal area and allowed Egypt to take control of the former British installations.
  69. creation
    the act of starting something for the first time
    In addition, with the creation of Israel in 1948, the Egyptian government prohibited the use of the canal by ships coming and going from the country.
  70. prohibited
    forbidden by law
    In addition, with the creation of Israel in 1948, the Egyptian government prohibited the use of the canal by ships coming and going from the country.
  71. finance
    the commercial activity of providing funds and capital
    Also in the 1950s, the Egyptian government was working on a way to finance the Aswan High Dam.
  72. initially
    at the beginning
    Initially it had support from the United States and the U.K. but in July 1956, both nations withdrew their support and the Egyptian government seized and nationalized the canal so passage fees could be used to pay for the dam.
  73. withdraw
    pull back or move away or backward
    Initially it had support from the United States and the U.K. but in July 1956, both nations withdrew their support and the Egyptian government seized and nationalized the canal so passage fees could be used to pay for the dam.
  74. seize
    take hold of; grab
    Initially it had support from the United States and the U.K. but in July 1956, both nations withdrew their support and the Egyptian government seized and nationalized the canal so passage fees could be used to pay for the dam.
  75. passage
    the act of moving from one state or place to the next
    Initially it had support from the United States and the U.K. but in July 1956, both nations withdrew their support and the Egyptian government seized and nationalized the canal so passage fees could be used to pay for the dam.
  76. invade
    march aggressively into a territory by military force
    On October 29 of that same year, Israel invaded Egypt and two days later Britain and France followed on grounds that passage through the canal was to be free.
  77. retaliation
    action taken in return for an injury or offense
    In retaliation, Egypt blocked the canal by intentionally sinking 40 ships.
  78. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
    These events were known as the Suez Crisis.
  79. crisis
    a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something
    These events were known as the Suez Crisis.
  80. arrange
    put into a proper or systematic order
    In November 1956, the Suez Crisis ended when the United Nations arranged a truce between the four nations.
  81. truce
    a state of peace agreed to between opponents
    In November 1956, the Suez Crisis ended when the United Nations arranged a truce between the four nations.
  82. removed
    separate or apart in time, space, or character
    The Suez Canal then reopened in March 1957 when the sunken ships were removed.
  83. throughout
    from first to last
    Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Suez Canal was closed several more times because of conflicts between Egypt and Israel.
  84. authority
    the power or right to give orders or make decisions
    Today, the Suez Canal is operated by the Suez Canal Authority.
  85. entire
    constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
    It also has a railroad running its entire length parallel to its west bank.
  86. length
    the linear extent in space from one end to the other
    It also has a railroad running its entire length parallel to its west bank.
  87. parallel
    being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting
    It also has a railroad running its entire length parallel to its west bank.
  88. bank
    financial institution that accepts deposits and lends money
    It also has a railroad running its entire length parallel to its west bank.
  89. accommodate
    have room for; hold without crowding
    The Suez Canal can accommodate ships with a vertical height (draft) of 62 feet (19 m) or 210,000 deadweight tons.
  90. vertical
    at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line
    The Suez Canal can accommodate ships with a vertical height (draft) of 62 feet (19 m) or 210,000 deadweight tons.
  91. draft
    a current of air
    The Suez Canal can accommodate ships with a vertical height (draft) of 62 feet (19 m) or 210,000 deadweight tons.
  92. approximately
    imprecise but fairly close to correct
    The Suez Canal has no locks because Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea's Gulf of Suez have approximately the same water level.
  93. low
    less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
    It takes around 11 to 16 hours to pass through the canal and ships must travel at a low speed to prevent erosion of the canal's banks by the ships' waves.
  94. speed
    a rate at which something happens
    It takes around 11 to 16 hours to pass through the canal and ships must travel at a low speed to prevent erosion of the canal's banks by the ships' waves.
  95. prevent
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
    It takes around 11 to 16 hours to pass through the canal and ships must travel at a low speed to prevent erosion of the canal's banks by the ships' waves.
  96. erosion
    the process of wearing or grinding something down
    It takes around 11 to 16 hours to pass through the canal and ships must travel at a low speed to prevent erosion of the canal's banks by the ships' waves.
  97. significance
    the quality of being important
    Significance of the Suez Canal
  98. traffic
    vehicles or pedestrians traveling in a particular locality
    In addition to dramatically reducing transit time for trade worldwide, the Suez Canal is one of the world's most significant waterways as it supports 8% of the world's shipping traffic and almost 50 ships pass through the canal daily.
  99. narrow
    not wide
    Because of its narrow width, the canal is also considered a significant geographic chokepoint as it could easily be blocked and disrupt this flow of trade.
  100. considered
    carefully weighed
    Because of its narrow width, the canal is also considered a significant geographic chokepoint as it could easily be blocked and disrupt this flow of trade.
  101. disrupt
    make a break in
    Because of its narrow width, the canal is also considered a significant geographic chokepoint as it could easily be blocked and disrupt this flow of trade.
  102. future
    the time yet to come
    Future plans for the Suez Canal include a project to widen and deepen the canal to accommodate the passage of larger and more ships at one time.
  103. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    Future plans for the Suez Canal include a project to widen and deepen the canal to accommodate the passage of larger and more ships at one time.
  104. project
    a planned undertaking
    Future plans for the Suez Canal include a project to widen and deepen the canal to accommodate the passage of larger and more ships at one time.
Created on Thu Feb 14 23:27:34 EST 2013 (updated Mon Jan 20 11:57:37 EST 2014)

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