Suakin,

Suakin, or more correctly SAWAKIN, a seaport of the Red Sea, stands on a small rocky island in a bay on its west side, and is the principal outlet for the commerce of Nubia and of the countries of the Sudan beyond. The island-town is connected with the settlement of El-Keff on the adjacent mainland by a causeway. There are active industries in silver ornaments, knives and spear-heads, and leather-work; but the commerce was, previous to the disturbances which broke out in that quarter in 1883, of much greater moment, being valued at one million sterling annually. Since tranquillity was restored the trade has revived (£103,800 in 1886; £251,700 in 1890; £210,768 in 1891). The more important exports are silver ornaments, ivory, gums, millet, cattle, hides, and gold; the imports, durra, cottons, flour, sugar, rice, ghi, dates, and coal. Here some 6000 or 7000 pilgrims embark every year for Mecca. The Egyptians occupied this port when they extended their power over the Sudan; and in its vicinity several battles were fought between the allied Egyptians and English against the fanatical followers of the Mahdi. Ever since those troubles began Suakin has been held by an English garrison. Pop. 11,000. See BERBER; and works by E. G. Parry (1885) and W. Galloway (1888).