Suez

Suez is a city in northeastern Egypt, located at the southern end of the Suez Canal on the Gulf of Suez. It is the administrative capital of the Suez Governorate and a major port city with an industrial base that includes oil, gas, and shipping-related industries. The city lies on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez, near the canal’s southern entrance, and serves as a hub for maritime logistics and ship repair.

The Suez Canal, completed in 1869, connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, shortening sea routes between Europe and Asia. The canal area has long shaped the city’s development, with port facilities, logistics services, and manufacturing facilities built to support canal traffic and regional trade. The Suez Canal Authority administers the canal and related infrastructure.

Historically, the region has been tied to significant maritime activity in modern times. In 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal, triggering the Suez Crisis, during which British, French, and Israeli forces intervened before international pressure led to withdrawal and canal repairs. Following the Six-Day War in 1967, the canal was closed to navigation and remained blocked until 1975, when operations resumed after disengagement and subsequent peace efforts.

Suez remains a critical node in international shipping due to its proximity to the canal, its port facilities, and its role in regional trade and industry.