Historic Aboukir: Coastal Charm of Early 1910s Egypt

This photograph captures a scene from Aboukir, taken by the Bain News Service around 1910 to 1915. The Aboukir area, located on the northern coast of Egypt, is historically significant due to its role in the 1798 Battle of the Nile, a pivotal naval engagement during the French Revolutionary Wars. In this battle, Admiral Horatio Nelson commanded the British fleet, decisively defeating the French and establishing British dominance in the Mediterranean.

The image serves as a visual record of Aboukir during the early twentieth century, a period of change and modernization in Egypt. At that time, the region was under British influence, having become a protectorate since 1882. This photograph not only documents the physical attributes of Aboukirs landscape but also reflects the ongoing transformations in Egyptian society and its surroundings during this transitional era. By examining such photographs, we gain insight into the historical context and daily life of the region over a century ago.