Question

The canal that has reduced the distance between India and Europe is known as:
A.Panama Canal
B.Suez Canal
C.Yellow Sea Canal
D.Gibraltar Canal

Answer 1

Hint: Canals are waterways that exist naturally in the form of a strait or are man-made and serve various purposes like as a means of conveyance, for irrigation, for other forms of water supply and such. The canal that reduces the distance between India and Europe is of great strategic and economic importance. It provides the shortest route between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian and Western Pacific Ocean through the Gibraltar Strait, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Complete answer: Option A: is incorrect. The Panama Canal is an artificial waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the Isthmus of Panama between North and South America. It helps ships avoid the lengthy and hazardous Cape Horn route at the southernmost tip of South America.
Option B: is correct. The Suez Canal is an artificial waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It is built through Isthmus of Suez in Egypt which effectively connects Africa and Asia. This artificially constructed canal, which started operating in 1869, served as a definitive and quick route between Europe and Asia especially during the industrial age.
Option C: is incorrect. The Yellow Sea Canal or the Ara Canal in South Korea is an artificially constructed canal that connects the Han river to the Yellow Sea.
Option D: is incorrect. The strait of Gibraltar is a naturally occurring passage of water that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. It is located between the edge of the Iberian Peninsula in Europe and Morocco in Africa.

Hence, Option B is the right answer.

Note: The oldest known canals were built for the purpose of irrigation in Mesopotamia in 4000 BC, Indus Valley area in 2600 BC and Egypt in 2330 BC. The longest canal in the ancient period existed in China called the Hong Gou.