Tourism in Sinai























































Lying in the extreme north eastern part of Egypt, Sinai is shaped like a triangle,bounded by the Gulf of Aqaba on the eastern side,and the Gulf of Suez on the western side.
North of this triangle, the remaining part is a trapezium-shaped area bounded by the Mediterranean coast on the northern side, the demarcating line running between the capes of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez on the southern Egypt's international borders with Israel on the east and Suez Canal on the west. Sinai Peninsula has an area of approximately 61,000 sq. km, accounting for about 6 % of Egypt's total area. Sinai's important geographical and strategic position has been the password and the decisive factor across history and so it is at present and will remain in the future.
The Peninsula is surrounded by water masses on three sides:the Mediterranean on the north , with 160 km of coasts, the Gulf of Suez on the south west,with 240 km of coasts and the Gulf of Aqaba on the east and south east,with 150 km of coasts. Of the total length of Egypt's coasts, Sinai alone accounts for 30 %.
Sinai is the land bridge between Asia and Africa and civilisations of the ancient world in the Nile Delta, Euphrates-Tigris Delta and Syria.
Sinai is honourably mentioned in the Holy Quran and other Heavenly Scriptures.Prophet Abraham ( peace be upon him ) crossed it ;Prophet Moses lived and the stone tablets there and the Holy Family also crossed en route to the mainland.
Sinai's geographic and economic importance has so strongly reflected on its historical development that it became an all-encompassing record of major events of the region in both the remote and near past
Entertainment Tourism in Sinai: it is the richest and more prevalent type of tourism in Sinai ... because of its natural resources, which is in turn the result of the richness of the environment of Sinai and its moderate weather, sandy and rocky beaches ... its water’s treasure which is represented in coral reefs , rare fish and other marine organisms .. In addition to, providing the infrastructure for this tourism, with its important locations in the areas of easy communication and transportation on the coast or near it… Entertainment tourism in Sinai is divided into two parts: coastal tourism and diving and sport tourism that includes water sports and resorts on the shores of the Aqaba bay.
Coastal Tourism in Sinai: this type prevails in the coastal areas and it is characterized by soft sand shores alongside the coasts with no rocks and pure water... These characteristics are repeated in more than one location on the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Suez , where the Mediterranean coast extends from Baloza and Beaar Elsabaa westward to Rafah in the far eastern Sinai passing with Al-Areesh, Al Sheikh Zewayed and Bardawil Lake. This long beach is known for its white soft sand and its pure water. On Areeh, in particular, there are palm trees that spread along the shore and that is why it known as “Palm Beach”.
Tourism, in particular, in Areesh, attracted considerable numbers of tourists especially domestic tourists, and the numbers of touristic villages are increasing near the beaches. As for the shore of Gulf of Suez , it extends along the eastern coast of the Gulf, compromising the touristic places of Ras Mosala , Ras Sidr , Ras Matarme and Altoour... In addition to, the two industrial areas Abu Znimh and Abu Redis... there are many bays spread through this beach...
The shores itself are known with the same soft white sand ,clear water and shallow depths of the long distances, besides the moderate climate throughout the year .. As well as, the proximity of the region from Cairo and other Egyptian cities, that makes it an appropriate place for tourism as well as One-day domestic flights. In Ras Sidr, in particular, there are many beautiful tourist villages and projects.
Al-Toor shore is as much as beautiful as Ras Sidr especially in the “Palm Beach” .. One of the most beautiful tourist areas that combine the cultivation of palm and blockaded beaches between the pay water and the east mountain chain.. Moon Beach has a special nature beauty ... It extends into the water and has fine sandy beach. From there, you can take a panoramic look at the Al-Toor city in which there are several hotels.
Diving Tourism: this kind of tourism is focused on eastern shore of Aqaba bay... It is a rocky beach in most areas... It is followed by a large water depth directly after the coast. This is the region of the most beautiful tourist areas in the world because of its wonderful treasures, mainly the coral reef areas... there are colored fish and warm water all over the year, it also has a magical nature both on the ground and under the water, and it is surrounded by thrilling natural areas like bays , warm springs, animals, birds, plants and various rare wild birds. The most prominent untapped tourist sites on the beach of the Aqaba bay are: Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab , Nuweiba and Taba.
Archaeological and historic tourism: In addition to the Monastery of St. Catherine as a tourist religious - relics at the same time, there are many archaeological and historical touristic sites in Sinai such as “Servant Srabit” near Ras Abu Znimh where there is a "Hathor" temple, related to Pharaonic times on the top of one of highest hill surrounded by remnants of turquoise and copper mines used by the ancient Egyptians in the central and modern BC era. Near “Servant Srabit”, there is a cave left, including ancient carvings...
“Servant Srabit” is an important destination for tourists interested in the sites of that time, there are a lot of tourists visit many citadels in Sinai ... the most notable place is Saladdin citadel on the Pharaoh Island near Taba, its maritime place attracted many tourists, in addition to simple transportation and accommodation …Many tourists are interested in visiting some other castles such as “Palm” castle , which lies on the international path Suez - Taba.
Historical roads in Sinai are gaining additional importance ... On Horus road , parallel to the northern coast of Sinai on the Mediterranean... there are the most tourist sites visited by tourists especially in Bloziom(Afarama), and Alfolyat and Alkhuynat areas on Bardawil Lake and Areesh Castle in Al Areesh city and others. . Also, some of these roads have the same importance as a tourist path taken by the Holy Family to Egypt.
Religious Tourism: Sinai is the land of spiritual background and which is mentioned in the heavenly books... It is the land of prophets ; Ibrahim (PBUH)passed by Sinai when he was heading for Egypt, he stayed a year then returned with his wife Sarah .. . Yacoub Yousef, peace be upon them, passed also by Sinai after being left by his brothers... Moses also came to Sinai and lived there and married the daughter of Shoaib… on its mountains, God honored him by talking to him in the sacred valley Taiwi ..
They received the Sharia , then on its sacred soil, Moses and his brother Aaron died , the Holy Family also passed by Sinai.. Lady Mariam and Jesus Christ - to Egypt, the Holy Family after that returned back to Palestine through Sinai. Now, the religious tourism is concentrated in the St. Catherine and Wadi Ferrand basically where tens of thousands of tourists per year visit tourist sites in St. Catherine.
Jebel Musa: at the top of it , there are small church and a mosque .. The tourists are keen to climb the mountain after midnight to reach the top before sunrise... Despite the hardship and difficulty of the journey, the sunrise scene is amazing and deserves every hardship and the surrounding mountain peaks appear as if it had been acquired red with the advent of the sun.
Monastery of St. Catherine .. The monastery receives hundreds of tourists every day from around the world... To visit the Great Church and the Church of childhood and Fatimid mosque and monastery library and hundreds of unique icons, in addition to the mosaic that is matchless in the world.
Prophets Saleh and Haroun Graves : at the entrance to the city of St. Catherine , there are the tombs of the Prophet Saleh and the tomb of Haroun, which are tourist religious attractions.
Girls' Monastery: located in the Ferrand valley , it was built at the same time of St. Catherine Monastery , where Ferrand Oasis was a major centre of Christian monks in Sinai. There are approximately ten hotels and tourist villages to serve the tourism movement in St. Catherine.
Curative tourism: There are many sources of curative tourism in Sinai like springs that help to cure many diseases... As well as hot soft sand in many areas which are of great benefit in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.... Sinai governorate is also famous for the presence of many useful herbs that are used in the treatment of many diseases. Many tourists are interested in these useful herbs especially within the global trend to reduce the use of chemical drugs and return to herbal medicines. The main sources of curative tourism in Sinai are:
Pharaoh's Bath: it is located about a hundred kilometers from the Suez Canal Beach, it consists of 15 hot water springs , rising steam from these springs fill the cave carved in the mountain at the top of the seaside where the water temperature is between 55-75 degrees. Scientific tests have proved the possibility of using the mineral water in the healing of many diseases like chest, skin and some eye diseases. Nowadays, Sinai governorate has been initiated in establishing a healthy, integrated, global spa in this region includes hotels, yachts and places for entertainment, accommodation and treatment.
Moussa's Bath: it is located about three kilometers north of the Al-Toour town... The water is flowing from five springs that pour into a bath in the shape of a basin surrounded by a building. This sulfate hot water (37 degrees) is used in the cure of many rheumatism and skin diseases. The governorate has given a great care to Moussa's Bath and the surrounding area to attract tourism.
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