Sinai ... a place made unique by a combination of its charming and
attractive elements:
a time-long history
a diversity of natural beauty
a sanctity permeating its air
Sinai-by its geographical location-is the junction between Asia and
Africa . It is haped like aninverted triangle, with the base
stretching between Rafah and Port Said, in the north, and the apex,
Ras Mohammed, in the south . This prominent and strategic position
of the Sinai Peninsula has made it, since the dawn of history, the
gateway to Egypt from the east. Sinai’s history goes back to the
Pharaohs who explored its land,
searching for gold, copper and turquoise. Thus, it came to be known
as the Land of Turquoise .
Sinai is rich in scenery. To the north, palm-shaded sandy beaches
stretch along the Mediterranean shore. Along the Gulfs of Aqaba and
Suez, soft golden sands surround bays of clear blue water, there are
tourist villages and fishing and snorkeling centers, where the
waters are rich with rare marine life and exquisite coral reefs
sweet water springs are scattered throughout Sinai. In the south,
the towering mountains with their beautiful reddish colored rocks
are surrounded by huge valleys leading to the Holy Mountain. Sinai
also boasts of various medicinal plants and different kinds of
indigenous and migrating birds. Because of its geological nature,
Sinai was divided administratively into the twin North and South
Sinai Governorates, with Al-Arish and Al-Tor as their respective
capitals.