The Kiel Canal, also known as the Kiel Canal, is an artificial waterway in Germany that connects the North Sea with the Baltic Sea. The canal stretches from the town of Brunsbüttel at the mouth of the Elbe to the Kiel Fjord in Kiel. It crosses the narrow strip of land between the North Sea coast and the Jutland peninsula.

Construction and history:
The Kiel Canal was built at the end of the 19th century and was opened in 1895. The construction of the canal was a significant engineering achievement of its time and had the aim of creating a faster connection between the North and Baltic Seas for shipping traffic.

Route:
The canal is about 98 kilometers long and significantly shortens the shipping route compared to the route around the Jutland Peninsula. It runs through flat terrain and consists of several locks that compensate for the difference in height between the two sea levels.

Locks:
There are a total of five locks along the canal to regulate ship traffic and manage the water level difference. The largest lock is in Brunsbüttel and allows large ships to pass through the canal.

Shipping:
The Kiel Canal is an important waterway for shipping and an important connection for international trade. A large number of commercial and cargo ships pass through the canal daily, resulting in a significant economic contribution to the region.

Tourism:
The canal also has tourist importance. There are viewpoints, bike paths and water activities along the canal that attract visitors. Onlookers can enjoy the impressive sight of everything from large cargo ships to cruise ships navigating the canal's narrow waterways.

The Kiel Canal plays an important role in the German transport system and has both economic and tourism impacts on the region.