Final answer:
The Suez Canal is an artificial waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, providing a shorter route between Europe and Asia and facilitating global trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. It separates the African continent from Asia and provides the shortest maritime route between Europe and the Indian and Pacific oceans. Being one of the world's most heavily used shipping lanes, it greatly expedites trade between Europe and Asia.