Suakin or Sawakin (Arabic: سواكن‎ Sawákin) is a port in north-eastern Sudan, on the west coast of the Red Sea. Suakin was the height of medieval luxury on the Red Sea. In 1983 it had a population of 18,030 and the 2009 estimate is 43, 337. It was formerly the region's chief port, but is now secondary to Port Sudan, about 50 kilometres (30 mi) north. The old city built of coral is in ruins.