Port Said was established when the Suez Canal was dug out in 1869. It is located on the Mediterranean , as the northen entrance to the Suez Canal, and its fame increased internationally when it was declared a free zone.It is 22o Km from Cairo, 80 Km from Suez.

Who built it? And why?

The origins of Port Said are that of a working camp founded in 1859 by Said Pasha to house men working on the Suez Canal.

Overview:

The City was damaged during the Suez Crisis, and again during the wars of 1967 and 1973, but the city has largely been rebuilt and today is a pleasant city of 400,00 people.
It is characterized by beautiful, calm, and soft sandy beaches abd rock-free waters. Geografically, it links Africa with Asia, through Port Fouad , a suburb on the east bank of Suez Canal.
It is considered the meeting point of the important maritime routes between East and the West. One of the attractions is Al-Gameel area( the beautiful ), which is a protected area 12 Km west of Port Said where fishing is practiced . It is also possible to go on a cruise in the port to watch the ship convoys, which cross the Suez Canal.

There is a National Museum in Port Said, which houses artifacts from most periods of Egypt's past, including pharaonic and prehistoric. Located on Sharia Palestine, the museum also houses Islamic and Coptic exhibits, including textiles, manuscripts and coins. There is a also a room devoted to artifacts of the Khedival family.

There is also a Military Museum located on Sharia 23rd of July. Along with some small displays of pharaonic and Islamic wars are artifacts from the Suez Crises and the 1967 and 1973 wars.

Across the Canal from Port Said is Port Fuad, which is really only a bedroom community to Port Said. However, if time permits is is a very pleasant place to take a stroll among the gardens and sprawling residences located there.

So what does New York and Port Said, Egypt have in common? Originally, American's very own statue of Liberty was to be placed not in New York but at Port Said. The Statue of Liberty was really inspired by the huge statues at Abu Simbel. Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the statue designed the American Lady of Liberty as 'Egypt carrying the light of Asia'. However, the Khedive Ismail decided that the project was too expensive, so the 'Light of Asia' was sent to the US instead, where she became the Statue of Liberty.

So what does New York and Port Said, Egypt have in common? Originally, American's very own statue of Liberty was to be placed not in New York but at Port Said. The Statue of Liberty was really inspired by the huge statues at Abu Simbel. Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the statue designed the American Lady of Liberty as 'Egypt carrying the light of Asia'. However, the Khedive Ismail decided that the project was too expensive, so the 'Light of Asia' was sent to the US instead, where she became the Statue of Liberty.

Tourist Attraction:

•“De Lesseps Statue Base”

•“Military Museum”

•“Suez Canal Authority Building”

•“Al Manzala Lake”

•“Religious Places “

•“Port Fuad”