The Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, was designed by which famous engineer?

Introduction / Context:
The Suez Canal is one of the most important man made waterways in the world. It links the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and greatly shortens the sea route between Europe and Asia. General knowledge and geography questions often ask about its location, history, and the person associated with its design and construction. This question tests your ability to recall the name of the key figure who promoted and engineered the Suez Canal project.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The canal in question is the Suez Canal in Egypt.
• We are asked to identify its designer or chief promoter.
• Four names are provided as options.
• Only one of these is historically connected with the Suez Canal project.

Concept / Approach:
The Suez Canal project in the nineteenth century is closely linked with the French diplomat and engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps. He was the leading figure who obtained the concession from the Egyptian government and oversaw the canal construction through the Suez Canal Company. While thousands of engineers and workers contributed, de Lesseps is universally recognised as the designer and main promoter. The other names in the options belong to different fields or have no historical connection with the canal.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the Suez Canal is the waterway joining the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Step 2: Recall from history and geography lessons that Ferdinand de Lesseps was the central figure behind its design and construction. Step 3: Scan the given options and locate the name Ferdinand de Lesseps. Step 4: Confirm that the other names are unrelated architects, mathematicians, or unknown persons in this context. Step 5: Mark Ferdinand de Lesseps as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any standard world history, geography, or general knowledge book that covers important canals will list Ferdinand de Lesseps as the designer and promoter of the Suez Canal. Articles on the history of the canal and major engineering projects also repeat his name. Another way to verify is to remember that de Lesseps later attempted to build the Panama Canal as well, which further reinforces his association with large canal projects. Since this name appears consistently in multiple independent sources, it confirms that choosing Ferdinand de Lesseps is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Le Corbusier: A famous twentieth century architect and urban planner, known for modern buildings and city designs, not for the Suez Canal.
John Napier: A mathematician known for developing logarithms, with no link to canal engineering in Egypt.
Verroned: This option does not correspond to a standard historical figure associated with the canal in common general knowledge sources.

Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to confuse famous architects or engineers from other projects with those connected to the Suez Canal. Another mistake is simply guessing based on the most familiar sounding name without recalling the specific historical context. To avoid this, it helps to memorise a small set of canal facts: Suez Canal with Ferdinand de Lesseps, Panama Canal with later American engineering, and so on. Clear mapping of project names to key personalities reduces confusion during exams.

Final Answer:
The Suez Canal was designed and promoted by Ferdinand de Lesseps.