Suez Canal, Egypt. 19-century albumen print of the Suez Canal at Lake Timsah, viewed from a location opposite the chalet of the Viceroy. In the foreground are camels laden with goods to be taken across the canal on a rope-drawn ferry. The Suez Canal crosses the Suez isthmus in Egypt, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. Earlier canals existed, but this one was constructed over a period of 10 years between 1859 and 1869, using tens of thousands of forced labourers. It was 8 metres deep when first built (now 24 metres). This image was obtained by an employee of the Francis Frith photographic company, founded in 1859.