Who built the Suez Canal, why is it important, and when was it built?

The digging of
the Suez Canal begun in 1859 and the canal finally opened in 1869.  The Suez Canal was built by
the Suez Canal Company also known as Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez. 

The importance of the Suez Canal is that it opened up travel between the
Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.  Before the Suez Canal was built ships had to travel around
the tip of Africa.  With the creation of the Suez Canal ships could cut their travel time
significantly.

Another point of significance is that the Suez Canal made it
easier for European nations to access and colonize Africa.