Its significance goes beyond Germany as it links France, Switzerland and the Benelux countries with Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic Sea.

Near Magdeburg it connects to the Elbe-Havel Canal,[2] making a continuous shipping route to Berlin and on to Poland.

The final section to Magdeburg was opened in 1938, thus creating a direct link between Western and Eastern Germany.

The planned canal bridge over the Elbe, necessary to avoid low water conditions in summer, was not built due to the Second World War.

After the reunification of Germany, the importance of the Mittelland Canal as a link from the west to Berlin and the east was reinforced.