Lake Maryut

Lake Maryut lies beside Alexandria in the low country of the western Nile Delta. Its waters and marshes form part of a landscape shaped by canals, sediment and the relationship between river and sea. Fishing, reeds and nearby fields offered resources, while channels connected the lake with surrounding districts and the city.

In antiquity, the Mareotic district was connected with Alexandria's food supply and commerce. In the medieval and early modern periods, changing water levels and canal maintenance affected the use of its hinterland. Under Mamluk and Ottoman rule, Alexandria remained a Mediterranean gateway for merchants and ships. Access to the Nile's agricultural districts depended on inland transport as well as the harbour.