These below highlighted canals play a crucial role in facilitating transportation, trade, and economic development across different regions of the world. The list of top 10 canal in the world based on their size, significance, and impact on global commerce are:
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- Kiel Canal – Germany
- Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal – China
- Hoi An Canal – Vietnam
- Suez Canal – Egypt
- Panama Canal – Panama
- Erie Canal – United States
- Houston Ship Canal – United States
- Qaraqum Canal – Turkey
- White Sea-Baltic Sea Canal – Russia
- Welland Canal – Canada
The Different Types of Canals and Their Uses
The different types of canals based on various factors and their uses include:
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- Permanent Canal
Provides water throughout the year from a permanent source for irrigation and other purposes. - Inundation Canal
Supplies water only during flood periods to control water levels in rivers during floods. - Irrigation Canal
Aligned along cultivatable areas to supply water for irrigation. - Power Canal
Constructed for generating hydraulic power. - Feeder Canal
Built to feed water to other canals or branch canals. - Carrier Canal
Multi-function canal serving both irrigation and feeding other canals. - Navigation Canal
Constructed for navigational purposes, accommodating large ships and vessels. - Protective Canal
Constructed to protect areas from flooding during famine periods. - Productive Canal
Generates revenue to cover maintenance costs and initial investment. - Main Canal
Carries large amounts of water directly from a river or reservoir. - Branch Canal
Takes off from main canals, supplying water to major and minor distributary canals. - Major Distributary Canal
Supplies water to minor distributaries and field channels. - Minor Distributary Canal
Takes off from major distributaries, supplying water to field channels. - Field Channels
Small channels in irrigation fields fed by distributary canals. - Contour Canal
Dug navigable canal following the contour line of the land. - Ridge Canal
Aligns with natural watersheds or ridgelines. - Rigid Surface Canal
Canal with a rigid surface lining to prevent seepage.
- Permanent Canal
The Significance of the Suez Canal in Global Trade
The Suez Canal holds immense significance in global trade due to several key factors:
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Strategic Location
The Suez Canal serves as a vital maritime trade route, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, providing a shortcut for ships traveling between Europe and Asia.
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Economic Impact
The canal plays a crucial role in the movement of goods, with approximately 12% of global trade passing through it annually, including commodities like oil, gas, and other products.
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Revenue Generation
The Suez Canal contributes significantly to Egypt’s economy through toll fees and related services, making it one of the country’s most important sources of hard currency.
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Trade Volume
Over one billion tonnes of cargo transited through the canal in 2019, highlighting its importance as one of the busiest trade arteries globally.
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Efficiency and Time-Saving
By providing a faster and more cost-effective route for ships compared to circumnavigating Africa, the Suez Canal saves time and money for vessels traveling between Europe and Asia.
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Expansion and Development
Efforts to expand and improve the canal, such as the 2015 project to create a second waterway, aim to enhance its efficiency, reduce waiting times, and accommodate larger vessels, further solidifying its role in global trade.
Alternative Routes
The blockage of the Suez Canal in 2021 highlighted the importance of considering alternative routes like the “land bridge” rail route across Eurasia, the Cape of Good Hope route, and the potential Arctic shipping route, emphasizing the canal’s critical role in global trade and the need for contingency plans.