Which of the following statements about Suez Canal is/are correct ? 1. Suez is a man-made navigation canal 2. Suez links Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea 3. The economic significance of Suez Canal is less than that of Panama Canal Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, constructed between 1859 and 1869, making Statement 1 correct. It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez, offering the shortest maritime route between Europe and the regions bordering the Indian and western Pacific Oceans; thus, Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the Suez Canal is globally considered more economically significant than the Panama Canal. It facilitates approximately 12-15% of global trade and is a critical corridor for oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) shipments. In comparison, the Panama Canal handles about 5-6% of global maritime commerce. The Suez Canal's ability to accommodate larger vessels and its role as the primary trade link between Asia and Europe give it a higher strategic and economic volume than the Panama Canal.