Suakin, Or Suakim, a seaport town of Nubia, on the coast of the Red sea, 285 m. N. N. W. of Massowah; lat. 19° 17' N., Ion. 37° 20' E.; pop. about 6,000. The town proper is on an island 1½ m. in circumference, which is connected by a bridge with a suburb on the mainland. It is defended by a small fort, and contains several mosques and public buildings, the principal of which are the governor's house, custom house, and bazaar. The harbor is sheltered from all winds, but is too shallow to admit large vessels. The adjacent country is a level plain. The climate is very hot. Suakin is fast increasing in commercial importance, and has a considerable trade in cattle, hides, butter, ivory, ostrich feathers, gum arabic, cotton, and coffee, the last from Abyssinia. More than 150 vessels enter its port yearly. It was formerly subject directly to the Turkish power, but in 1865 was surrendered to the viceroy of Egypt. In 1870 telegraphic communication was established with the Soo-dan, an attempt to effect which in 1865 had resulted in the loss of the engineers and 8,000 camels.

There is a direct caravan route from Suakin to Berber, on the Nile, and to Khar-toom, and great numbers of pilgrims pass over it yearly on their way to Mecca.