John P. Cooper
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9789774166143
- eISBN:
- 9781617975462
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- American University in Cairo Press
- DOI:
- 10.5743/cairo/9789774166143.003.0012
- Subject:
- History, Middle East History
This chapter charts the changing navigational landscape of the Islamic-era capitals of Egypt, from Fustat to Cairo. It recognises the navigationally strategic nature of the choice of Fustat as the ...
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This chapter charts the changing navigational landscape of the Islamic-era capitals of Egypt, from Fustat to Cairo. It recognises the navigationally strategic nature of the choice of Fustat as the first Arab-era capital of Egypt. The city’s location just above the Delta apex made it a ready control point for Nile traffic moving between Upper and Lower Egypt; the deployment of a pontoon bridge across the river enhanced that control, while the Nile-Red Sea canal also arrived at Fustat/Cairo. The chapter also examines how on-going change in the course of the Nile in the Cairo area precipitated change in the location of the main river ports serving the city.Less
This chapter charts the changing navigational landscape of the Islamic-era capitals of Egypt, from Fustat to Cairo. It recognises the navigationally strategic nature of the choice of Fustat as the first Arab-era capital of Egypt. The city’s location just above the Delta apex made it a ready control point for Nile traffic moving between Upper and Lower Egypt; the deployment of a pontoon bridge across the river enhanced that control, while the Nile-Red Sea canal also arrived at Fustat/Cairo. The chapter also examines how on-going change in the course of the Nile in the Cairo area precipitated change in the location of the main river ports serving the city.
