Suez

LYING at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal, the city of Suez has been a commercial port since the seventh century. Situated near the scenic Ataga Hills, the city offers a captivating view of Sinai and the Red Sea. Suez is known for its dry climate and beautiful beaches -- including the nearby popular resort of Ain Sokhna -- known for its hot mountain springs. Suez lies at the northern tip of the Suez Gulf, 134km east of Cairo.

Since its devastation by Israeli bombardments, and the evacuation of almost the entire population between 1967 and 1973, Suez has risen from the rubble to reclaim its inheritance. Unlike Port Said and Ismailia, the city's history long predates the canal, going back to the Ptolemaic Klysma. As Arabic Qulzum, the port prospered from the spice trade and pilgrimages to Mecca throughout mediaeval times, remaining a walled city until the 18th century. The canal brought modernisation and assured revenues, later augmented by the discovery of oil in the Gulf of Suez. All this was lost during the wars with Israel, requiring a massive reconstruction programme.

The town itself is divided between Suez proper and Port Tawfik. The latter is at the mouth of the canal and is a good place to watch the ships go by. It also has a few streets with gracious old colonial buildings. It is joined to the town itself by Al- Geish Street, a wide highway that cuts through an industrial area before extending to the heart of Suez.

Both Suez and Port Tawfik are transit points -- not only for the great tankers, cargo vessels and private yachts en route to or from the Mediterranean, but also for Muslims who pass through the city on their way to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

From Suez, travellers could head to Cairo, Alexandria and the other canal cities via East Delta buses. There are also services to the Sinai Peninsula, north and south Sinai, as well as to the Red Sea coast, Luxor and Aswan via the Upper Egypt bus company.

Suez facts

This important canal city is a vital transport nexus between Cairo, Sinai and the Red Sea Coast.

Population: 300,000

Industries: Petrochemical industries in addition to cement and fertiliser plants that ring the outskirts of the city; fishing.

Sights: Visitors can go on excursions to Ain Sokhna and Hurghada on the Red Sea, or to Sinai and Upper Egypt. They can also gaze at the always impressive sight of giant cargo ships coming in from the Red Sea into the Suez Canal.

Hotels: White House (+2062) 227-599; Green House (+2062) 331-553; Masr Palace (+2062) 223-031; Summer Palace (+2062) 224-475.

Restaurants: For fish try the Fish Restaurant on Al-Salam Street, or the White Hotel or Sea Side restaurants. Favourites like fuul, ta'amiyya and shawerma are available in abundance.

Stadium: Suez Stadium, capacity 45,000, Al-Galaa Street, 5km (10 min) from Suez town centre, 120km (90 min) from Cairo International Airport.

Famous football teams: Suez