The International Coastal Highway: Alexandria to Port Said

Fri, Mar 20th 2009, 11:04

The International Coastal Highway is a 1,050 kilometre road that runs along the northern shore of Egypt facing the Mediterranean. The construction of this highway did much to shorten travelling time between the delta cities of Alexandria and Port Said.


Before construction of the International Coastal Highway, the route along the delta was interrupted with many river crossings at the points where the Nile flows into the sea.

First stop after Alexandria on the highway is Rashid, also known as Rosetta. This town is famous for the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, an ancient stone containing different scripts which enabled scholars to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics. The stone was discovered at the fortress of Fort Qaitbey which can still be visited today.

Rashid/Rosetta is one of the two remaining locations where the Nile flows into the Mediterranean sea. Before the construction of the highway, travellers would have to cross the Nile River by ferry. The road project included the construction of a 1.5 metre long bridge which has dramatically improved the travel time to Port Said.

Continuing along the highway, one encounters the city of Damietta where the other branch of the Nile enters the sea. Damietta is famous for its manufacturing of wooden furniture.

The destination, Port Said forms the northern entrance to the Suez Canal. This strategic location has meant that Port Said is an important city. Tourists visit the city to view the canal. Until recently the city was also a tax-free zone.

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