The Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The creation of engineer Ferdinand De Lesseps is one of the most famous artificial water ways in the world, and also one of the busiest.
The Suez Canal was dug through the Isthmus of Suez, allowing ships to pass from the Mediterranean to the Indian via the red sea, without sailing around the African cotenant.
The Suez Canal took to be build, beginning in 1859 and ending in 1869. It measure a 167km (the third longest in the world) and is considered one of the great feats of modern engineering.
The Canal’s toll fees are; along with tourism, considered Egypt’s main source of revenue. The three cities that sit along the canal western bank; Port Said, Suez and Ismailia grow with the construction of the canal, as they were build to provide housing for the workers. Although the European influence is strongly felt in belle époque architecture, each city has managed to keep a personality of its own.
The canal cities are particularly attractive to the summer traveler. Peaceful shaded street line with colonial Villas and cooled by water sided breezes offer a welcome respite for the inland heat. The remains of Egypt’s colonial past give the canal cites a unique fell; quiet different form the rest of Egypt.
Suez
The city of Suez is situated 134km from Cairo. The city lies at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal at the junction of the Suez Canal in the Red Sea. The town is divided between Suez proper, Port Tawfik and Port Ibrahim.
The city of Suez dates back to the time of the Pharaoh, in those days it was called Klysma. In the middle ages, Klysma became Qulzum. After the Islamic conquest, Qulzum was a prosperous city; thanks to the spice trade, and became the departure point of the pilgrims bound for Mecca.
Suez remains a walled city until the opening of the canal brought modernization and ensured the city’s survival. Later, the discovery of oil in the gulf of Suez added to the city’s good fortunes. Although affected during the different conflicts with Israel, Suez has built itself and today it is one of Egypt’s largest ports.
Things To Do
For enthusiasts of great engineering feats; the Suez Canal is one of them, watching the ships glide down the canal is a remarkable site.
The Suez people are laid back and friendly, and the city has some interesting sites to offer besides canal-watching.
The 24th of October Museum, a war museum is situated 15km before Suez city road, and could be of interest for any war history enthusiast.
Take a walk on El Geish Street leading to the cause way and cross it to port Tawfik. In Port Tawfik, the European influence is apparent and wide, clean pavement and colonial style buildings dating back to the British influence, it is an ideal place to watch the ships go by as well.
The busy ferry terminal used by pilgrims on their way to Mecca during the pilgrimage season is also linked to Port Tawfik.
If you are in need of even more cooling, there are two small beaches; Fayed situated about 60km north of Suez and Abu Sultan 10km further up.
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