Port Said

Port Said is a vital port city located in northeast Egypt.

It sits along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The city straddles the west bank of the northern mouth of the Suez Canal. This location makes it a major hub for global trade and maritime business. Port Said is the capital of the Port Said Governorate. It makes up most of that region. The city is part of a larger metropolitan area. This area includes its twin city, Port Fuad. Port Fuad sits on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal.

Together, these cities span both the African and Asian sides of the canal. They are connected by free ferries that run all day long.

The city was established in 1859 to support the construction of the Suez Canal. Ferdinand de Lesseps gave the first symbolic swing of a pickaxe to begin the work. The name Port Said is a compound name. It combines the French word "port" with "Said," the name of the ruler of Egypt at that time. The name first appeared in 1855. An international committee chose it. This committee included the UK, France, the Russian Empire, Austria, Spain, and Piedmont.

Early construction faced many difficult challenges. There were almost no local resources available. Builders had to import everything. They brought in wood, stone, machinery, and food. They even had to import fresh water in giant storage containers. This continued until the Sweet Water Canal was completed.

Engineers used innovative methods to build the city's infrastructure. They used a technique called conglomerate concrete, or "Beton Coignet." This was named after its inventor, François Coignet. Workers sank concrete blocks into the sea to create foundations for the jetties. This same concrete was used to build the Port Said Lighthouse. The lighthouse is the only original building still standing in the city today.

In the beginning, only 150 laborers lived in tents. By 1860, the population reached 2,000 people. Many Europeans lived in wooden bungalows imported from northern Europe. By 1869, when the canal opened, the permanent population reached 10,000.

The city grew rapidly during the early twentieth century. Two major events changed its status. In 1902, Egyptian cotton from Mataria began to be exported through the port. In 1904, a standard gauge railway opened to Cairo.

These developments attracted a large commercial community. By 1907, the population reached about 50,000. This included 11,000 Europeans from many different nations. The city became a famous cosmopolitan community. People of many religions and nationalities lived there together. This included Greek, Italian, Swiss, Maltese, Scottish, and French residents. Many people spoke multiple languages. French was often the common language for different communities.

In 1926, the city of Port Fuad was founded on the Asian bank. The Suez Canal Company designed it for its workers. The houses in Port Fuad follow the French model. This was designed by the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

By the late 1920s, the population exceeded 100,000. The city was a bustling international port. It was a place where many different cultures met. Travelers from Africa, India, and the Far East passed through constantly. This era made Port Said a truly global city.

The mid-twentieth century brought significant political changes and conflict. In 1956, President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company. This led to the Suez Crisis. Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt.

British troops landed violently in Port Said. The city was bombed, and heavy fighting occurred in the streets. Hundreds of civilians died. Much of the city was destroyed by fires. The last foreign soldiers withdrew on December 23, 1956. Today, Port Said celebrates this date as its national day. Following these events, many foreign communities, such as the French and Greek populations, emigrated elsewhere.

Today, Port Said remains an essential economic center for Egypt. In 2024, the population was approximately 790,000.

The city is a major harbor for exports like cotton and rice. It also serves as a fueling station for ships in the canal. The economy relies on fishing and industries like chemicals and food processing. The city is also a duty-free port. This attracts many businesses and logistics startups. In 2019, the New Suez Canal was constructed under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Port Said is also a popular summer tourist resort. Visitors come for the Mediterranean beaches and landmarks like the Port Said Martyrs Memorial.

It remains a vital link in the global system of trade.