operations. The 1863 opening of the Suez Canal initiated further British trade protection strategies, securing the port of Adan and surroundings to serve the Red Sea shipping routes using its new canal. The Sultanate was part of an effort of the British Empire to protect the East India Route, the sea route between the Mediterranean and India, in and through the southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula. Resources As of 1920, the Lahej region was producing salt, from salt mines owned by the Ottoman government, that passed through the Sultanate for shipping. See also Aden Protectorate Colony of Aden (1937–63)— Crown colony. Fadhli Sultanate Federation of Arab Emirates of the South (1959–62) Federation of South Arabia (1962–67) Protectorate of South Arabia (1962–67) References External links Sultanates States in the Aden Protectorate Federation of South Arabia States and territories established in 1728 States and territories disestablished in 1839 1728 establishments in Asia 1839 disestablishments in Asia 18th century in Yemen 19th century in Yemen 20th century in Yemen Former countries Former sultanates