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Solomon and Queen of Saba. It is built on a sea
bream island and surrounded by a fence with five
gates to monitor the incomers and out goers. The
most famous one is Eastern Sudan Gate. The is-
land is connected to the shore by a bridge. Two
miles away from the island, there are eight moni-
toring towers.
The city is built of bream painted stones, with a
particular design. Sawakin, which use to be the
most important harbor of the Red Sea, was the
residence of Bija Kings. Ships and vessels des-
tined for the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and
the Arabian Gulf sailed in and off Suakin. West Afri-
can pilgrims travelling to Mecca gathered at Suakin
before crossing over the Red Sea to the Arab pen-
insula. The town lost its importance when, in 1905,
the port was moved 50 km northwards to Port
Sudan. Suakin was abandoned and consequently
disintegrated into ruins. Efforts are being exerted
to revitalize the historical port and more and more
passenger ships have begun to moor at Suakin.
Wad Medani
One of Sudan’s main towns, Wad Medani is also
the capital of the rich agrarian state of EI Gezira
and the base of the Gezira Scheme Board, which
administers the large cotton and wheat plantations.
Located 186 km south of Khartoum on the western
side of the Blue Nile, Wad Medani is host to rep-
resentatives of many Sudanese tribes who have
been attracted by cultivation work offered by the
vast Gezira project.
Arkwiet
Located 30 kilometers east of Sammad city, on the
road connecting Port Sudan to Kassala, Arkwiet is
the first Sudanese summer residence. It is a high
land, 4000 feet above the sea level and it is sur-
rounded by mountains, facing the sea and green
valleys. This place enjoys a 12-months-a-year
ideal climate, charming sites and rare plants and
trees. The tomb of Prince of East, Osman Dignah,
can also be observed in Arkwiet.
Kassala
Kassala is a sweet city surrounded by hills in Al-
botanah Valley, on the delta of Algash River, near
the Eritrean border. Kassala was founded by the
Egyptians in 1834 as a military post and was held
by the Mahdists from 1885 to 1894. It is the centre
of the Khatemiya brotherhood, which opposed the
Mahdi family in the 19th century. It has a souq sell-
ing handicrafts and silver jewellry. The city has a
reputation for breeding Bushari camels and organ-
izing traditional camel races every Tuesday.
Sanganaib
Sanganaib is a coral reef island, 25 kilometers east
of Port Sudan. It is a good spot to observe sharks,
dolphins and octopus. The beacon on the island
guides the ships. It is considered as one of the most
brilliant place worldwide to practice diving.
Enter another world underwater
Arous Village
This touristic village, 50 kilometers north of Port Su-
dan was establish intentionally to welcome people
coming to dive or take under water photos.
In fact, a ship sunk in 1937 in Ambrya and it has
turned into a heaven for sea bream. It is now one of
the most popular sites for under water photo.
Islands
There are some inhabited islands on the Red Sea,
like Um Goroush, north of Port Sudan, well known
for its sharks, or Mukouar and its wild goats. There
are also many sea bream islands with sand coastal
and attracting many fish species.
WESTERN REGION
El Fasher
The town has played an important political and so-
cial role in the history of Darfur. It is now the capital
of North Darfur State and an important trade centre.
The palace of the last sultan of the Fur ruling dy-
nasty, Ali Dinar, built in 1912, is a special touristic
attraction but the area still remains quite unsafe.