الوجود الهولندي في البحر الأحمر (1602-1815 م)‎

Abstract EN

This study aims to explore and ensure the Dutch existence in the red sea area، and in the African horn in the middle centuries during the crusades which broke up in the Middle East in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

a number of soldiers and religious men from Holland were participants in those wars.

thus Holland found way to the red sea and discovered its strategic importance and commercial value.

the importance of the red sea developed during the international European conflict towards it regarding geographical discoveries، of which Portugal was particularly the pioneer.

Portugal gave priority to the coasts of the African continent.

year 1498 – ac was crucial in the history of the African horn according to the discovery of the way to the cape of good hope by Vasco de Jama ، then the access to the red sea from the southern direction which helped a start of a Portuguese domination over the ports and entries of the red sea.

after the damage of the Portuguese power and the decrease of its role in Africa، Holland began to take place، and their actual expedition set out to Africa، and the Dutch company of eastern India was established in 1602 ac.

this study is significant for that it tackles and highlights the importance of the red sea as a link between the east and the west، and that its economic، commercial and geographical characteristics have made it-in the past and nowadays – a locus of international conflict، and vital target to take hold of it، and to take control of its port.

this study adopted a historical descriptive method of research to show out and document the historical facts and the events at that time.

the most important findings show that the domination of Holland over the ports at the red sea coasts and the African horn was supported through the Dutch company of eastern India، and this domination continued until 1794 ac.

so، Holland took control of the ways for navigation and trading which connected western Europe and the far east.

the study recommends throwing light upon this area for more research because of its strategic and commercial importance.