Why is the Red Sea so Important?

Red Sea Crisis / Red Sea News / Red Sea Strategic importance

Throughout history, the Red Sea has been a crucial link in a global network of water routes connecting the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific. Its strategic location and important narrow points, known as chokepoints, have drawn the interest of conquerors like Alexander the Great and Napoleon. Furthermore, with the opening of the Suez Canal, the Red Sea has gained even more strategic importance. This highlights the significant role the Red Sea plays in geopolitical affairs. The Red Sea is crucial because it acts like a natural line between the eastern coast of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula in the west. It's a super important path for moving goods, especially oil, from the south Bab el-Mandeb to the north Suez Canal. Since the world still heavily relies on oil, this route is vital for transporting it from the Gulf region. About 12% of all global trade and 30% of container traffic worldwide go through the Suez Canal every year, carrying goods worth over $1 trillion. This clearly shows how the Red Sea plays a big role in the world economy by helping things move around the globe.