PORT SAIDmedia.azamaracruises.com/azamara/content/pdf/port...PORT SAID POINTS OF INTEREST 1 The...
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EGYPT P ORT S AID G ateway to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, Port Said is located at the northeastern most point of the African continent. Port Said lies at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, which was founded by and named after the khedive Said Pabha. Construction began in 1859 on a low sandy strip separating the Mediterranean from Lake Al-Manzilah. Large stones, earth, mud and sand were added to the strip to form a breakwater as well as a man-made bridge to the south and a causeway to the west. The Suez Canal was completed in 1869. Port Said has a population of approximately 400,000 inhabitants. It is the busiest and most interesting of the canal cities and due to the world commerce which the canal attracts, has become extremely prosperous. The city has some fine examples of late 19th century and early 20th century colonial style architecture. The main industries here produce textiles, clothing, glass and china. You will also find computer, construction and publishing industries. Port Said has a large harbor with extensive shipyard facilities. In 1976 the city was declared a duty free zone. A portion of the city is currently under development as a beach resort. HISTORY Founded in 1859 at the onset of the construction of the Suez Canal. The breakwaters were finally completed in 1868 while the canal itself was opened a year later. In 1903 – 1909 huge dry docks were built and a new quarter called Port Fouad (Bur Fouad) was created on the eastern extension of Lake Al-Manzilah. This was used to house the workmen employed on the vast project. The livelihood of the port was connected to the canal and its operation. The area quickly became an international trade center. By the late 19th century Port Said was the world’s largest coal- bunkering station and handled canal traffic as well as cotton and rice exports from the eastern delta. In 1956, during the Sinai War, following Egyptian nationalization of the canal, Port Said was severely damaged both by air attacks and landings by French and British forces. Pressure from the United Nations compelled those two countries to withdraw and the canal was re-opened. In 1967, during the Six Day War, Israeli troops occupied the eastern bank of the canal which then remained closed until 1975. In that year President Anwar Sadat of Egypt restored the city, built more housing and opened a tax-free industrial zone. P ort Explorer © 2010 maps.com
Transcript of PORT SAIDmedia.azamaracruises.com/azamara/content/pdf/port...PORT SAID POINTS OF INTEREST 1 The...
EGYPTPORT SAID
Gateway to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, Port
Said is located at the northeastern most point of the African continent. Port Said lies at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, which was founded by and named after the khedive Said Pabha. Construction began in 1859 on a low sandy strip separating the Mediter ranean from Lake Al-Manzilah. Large stones, earth, mud and sand were added to the strip to form a breakwater as well as a man-made bridge to the south and a causeway to the west. The Suez Canal was completed in 1869.
Port Said has a population of approximately 400,000 inhabitants. It is the busiest and most interesting of the canal cities and due to the world commerce which the canal attracts, has become extremely prosperous. The city has some fine examples of late 19th century and early 20th century colonial style architecture. The main industries here produce textiles, clothing, glass and china. You will also find computer, construction and publishing industries.
Port Said has a large harbor with extensive shipyard facilities. In 1976 the city was declared a duty free zone. A portion of the city is currently under development as a beach resort.
HISTORY
Founded in 1859 at the onset of the construction of the Suez Canal. The breakwaters were finally completed in 1868 while the canal itself was opened a year later. In 1903 – 1909 huge dry docks were built and a new quarter called Port Fouad (Bur Fouad) was created on the eastern extension of Lake Al-Manzilah. This was used to house the workmen employed on the vast project. The livelihood of the port was connected to the canal and its operation. The area quickly became an international trade center.
By the late 19th century Port Said was the world’s largest coal-bunkering station and handled canal traffic as well as cotton and rice exports from the eastern delta. In 1956, during the Sinai War, following Egyptian nationalization of the canal, Port Said was severely damaged both by air attacks and landings by French and British forces. Pressure from the United Nations compelled those two countries to withdraw and the canal was re-opened. In 1967, during the Six Day War, Israeli troops occupied the eastern bank of the canal which then remained closed until 1975. In that year President Anwar Sadat of Egypt restored the city, built more housing and opened a tax-free industrial zone.
P o r t E x p l o r e r©
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PORT SAID POINTS OF INTEREST
1 The Military Museum commemorates many of modern Egypt’s feats and battles as well as showing dioramas
of ancient Pharaonic and Islamic battles. It is located on July 23rd Street west of the obelisk.
2 Bur Said Beach extends eastward from the Military Mu-seum to the canal. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be
rented and showers are located along the beach front.
3 The Suez Canal is considered a miracle of 19th century engineering that stretches, without locks and at a depth
of up to 50 feet (15 m), from Port Said, past Ismailia to Port Suez on the Red Sea, a total of some 70 miles (113 km). Built between 1859 – 1869 under the direction of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the canal’s opening changed the economic and political course of life for areas as far away as Gibraltar and Bombay. Today it is one of the worlds major inland water-ways.
4 Canal House, a moorish-style building is located right on the canal. It features an imposing dome and architecture,
but is closed to the public.
5 The National Museum, at the north end of Palestine Street, has a good collection of artifacts from all stages
of Egyptian history.
Beyond Port Said
Ismailia, located approximately half way between Port Said and Port Suez, was founded by and named after Pasha Is-mail, the ruler of Egypt during the construction of the Suez Canal in the 1860’s. De Lesseps, Director of the Suez Canal Company, lived here until the canal was completed. The town of 600,000 is home to a tremendous amount of canal trade as well as a museum and the Garden of the Stelae.
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is south and east, some three hours drive by either the road through the Great Western Desert or along the Nile Delta. Numerous sights, museums and shops abound in this bus-tling city of approximately 18 million peo-ple, one of the largest communities in the world.
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SHORE ExCuRSIONS
To make the most of your visit to Port Said and surrounding areas we suggest you take one of the organized Shore Excursions. For Information concerning tour con-tent and pricing, consult azamaraclubcruises.com or contact the onboard Shore Excursion Desk. When going ashore, guests are advised to take with them only the items they need and to secure any valuables.
LOCAL CuSTOMS
Bargaining: This is an accepted practice in marketplaces only. Bargaining is not an accepted practice in shops.
Tipping: In Egypt tipping is called “baksheesh” and is more than just a reward for good service. Wages in Egypt tend to be low and many service personnel regard this as a vital supplement to their income. You’ll be expected to tip a small amount for something as minor as having the door opened for you. In most restaurants fre-quented by tourists a 12% service charge and a 5% government tax are included in the bill, however you should add a little extra as well.
LOCAL CuISINE AND DRINk SPECIALTIES
As in other parts of Egypt, Ful (cooked mashed fava beans) is a favorite; it is served with a pita type bread called Aish Baladee. Try the Harira soup (herbed lamb, lentils and chickpeas) followed by either couscous or tahina. Kofta and Shish Kebab are two of the most popular dishes in Egypt. Kofta is ground meat peppered with spices, skewered and grilled over a fire. Shish Kabab is similar but isn’t ground. Grilled tomatoes and onions are also served.
Drink Specialties: Shay (tea) and Kahwa (coffee) top the list of popular drinks in Egypt. Both are usually made very strong and served with a large amount of sugar. Egypt’s domestic beer, Stella Brand, is served in large 1/2 liter bottles. An Egyptian staple is Asab (sugar cane juice). Soft drinks are widely available. Hard liquors are available in most major hotels and restaurants. Bottled water is recommended.
SHOPPING
The main shopping areas may be found on Gomohhoria Street 1/2 mile (500 m) from the port and the Noras Beach Shopping Arcade which is located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from the port. Although Port Said is considered a “Duty Free” port, you may be subject to duties upon leaving the country. Check with the local merchants before making a purchase.
Souvenirs can be found very near the port area. The most popular items being hieroglyphic drawings on papyrus paper to engraved brass tables. Copperware, brassware, gold, silver, ceramics, alabaster and papyrus are readily available. Avoid ivory products as they are not allowed to be imported to many countries including the United States of America and Canada.
LOCAL CuRRENCY
The official currency of Egypt is called the Pound (LE). In Arabic it is called a guinay. There are notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. An Egyptian pound equals 100 Piastres (PT). Coins in circulation are for denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 PT. You may also encounter piastre notes in denominations of 5, 10 (rare), 25 and 50.
POST OFFICE AND TELEPHONE FACILITIES
A General Post Office is located within .6 mile (1 km) of the terminal.
The telephone office is located at the port entrance and is open 24 hours daily. Most long distance calls must be placed from hotels or telephone offices. At public telephones you can dial these access numbers.
The Pyramids of Giza, located near Cairo, are one of the seven wonders of the world. These musoleums were built to show the ancient Egyptians’ be-lief in eternal life. They contained the Pharaoh’s tomb, but were also storage places for treasures and solar barques (boats for transport in the afterlife). You can actually go inside the large Pyramid of Cheops, built of about 2.5 million l i m e s t o n e blocks. There are separate charges to enter the Pyramid plateau and the en-cased solar barque.
The Sphinx, located at the Pyramid pla-teau, was carved almost entirely from one tremendous piece of limestone and is about 165 feet (50 meters) long and 73 feet (22 meters) high. Legend has it that it was engulfed by sand and hidden completely for years until the sun god Ra appeared to the man who later became Tuthmosis IV and offered him the crown of Egypt if he would free the Sphinx.
AT&T: 02.2510.0200MCI: 02.2795.570
(Within Cairo delete the “02” before dialing)
TRANSPORTATION
Taxis are available at the port gate. Payment will only be accepted in cash. There are no buses or trains available from the port.
TOuRIST INFORMATION
The main tourist office is located close to the main commercial and civic buildings along the canal.
uSEFuL WORDS AND PHRASES
Good Morning • Sabha El KherThank you • ShukranGood Day • Naharak Sayeed You’re Welcome • Ah lenGood Afternoon • Masa El Kher Please • MinfadlakHow much • Be Kaem Where’s the toilet • Faen Hamman
This information has been compiled for the convenience of our guests and is intended solely for that purpose. While we work to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, we cannot accept responsibility for any changes that may have taken place since printing.
© RCCL 2010 - All rights reserved.
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