Which of these important trade routes passes through the Indian Ocean?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Suez Canal.
The Suez Canal is a vital artificial waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, which eventually opens into the Indian Ocean. It serves as the shortest maritime route between Europe and the lands lying around the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. By bypassing the long journey around the southern tip of Africa, it facilitates a massive volume of global trade, particularly for oil and manufactured goods moving between Asia and Europe.
Other Options:
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Panama Canal: An artificial waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, cutting through the Isthmus of Panama.
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Bering Strait: A narrow passage of water connecting the Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea (Pacific Ocean), separating Russia and Alaska.
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Drake Passage: The body of water between South America's Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific.