Guide to Sinai, its history, geography, deserts and Sightseeings

About twenty million years ago, Egypt, Sinai and the Arab peninsula were united block. Then a huge terrestrial devastations led to the separation of the lands and the southern Sinai peninsula remained isolated, giving rise to two large gulfs: the gulf of Suez, whose maximum depth is barely 95 meters and gulf of Aqaba to the east, which instead reaches a depth of 1800 meters. The latter gulf is a part of the big land fissure called Rift - which extends from the chain of Taurus as far as Kenya.

The Ancient Egyptian kings went to Sinai for gold, turquoise and copper and the remains of their mines can still be seen. Just before Abu Zenima, a turn off the main road leads past the manganese mines to Serabil El Khadim. There there are some abandoned turquoise mines and ruins of a rock cut temple of the 12th dynasty dedicated to the goddess Hathor who was known locally as the mistress of the turquoise. Pharaohs of later dynasties erected many stellas which are still at the site commemorating their mining expeditions to Sinai.

The great Via Maris, that connected the Nile Valley with Mesopotamia, followed the Mediterranean coastline of Sinai. The Roman and Nabateans used an east west desert route across Sinai, a road that later acquired the name of Darb el Hajj, the pilgrims' way from Egypt to Mecca. To the casual eye Sinai is mountainous, arid and forbidding. The land is unsuitable for farming and little rain falls. Blistering heat by day and bitter cold by night enhance the outward appearance of desolation

 

Sinai is a meeting point of continents and acting like a bridge between seas! The total are of Sinai is 24000 square miles and thus represented 6% from the total are of Egypt, the great seismic activity of the past and the tremendous eruptive phenomena have given Sinai its characteristic imprint. The most important peaks are the Moses' mountain 2285 meters, St. Catherine mountain 2642 meters - the highest in Egypt. The west coast that from Sharm-el- sheikh to Ras Mohamed goes as far as Taba, is distinguished by numerous coral reefs that occur in succession, one after the other creating the ideal conditions for a flora and a marine fauna the variety and richness of which have no peer in other seas.

 

Sinai now is an exciting place to enjoy a hobby or embark on a new one. South Sinai is a moonscape of granite mountains; the monastery of saint Catherine & Moses mountain are the most famous religious places of the area and mountain climbing is also a popular sport among the visitors. Other favorite activities include hiking, star gazing by amateur astronomers, rock collecting by fledgling geologists, camel trips, bird watching and studying of wild flowers. The recreation spot closest to the mainland is near Ras-el-Sudr. This place is perfect for wind surfing because there are no stones in the sand and no coral reefs.
On Sinai a city of peace Sharm-El-Sheikh is situated - with its beautiful beaches, nice weather all the year around and quietness. Around 15 km far from Sharm-El-Sheikh is situated the most beautiful dive site all over the world - the National park of Ras Mohamed. Another cities such as Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba are also situated along the Aqaba gulf.
Now Egyptian government pays much attention for development on Sinai and at the same time protects the special environments of Sinai. Government declared 6 places on Sinai to be a protected area, they are: Abu Galum, Al Zaranik, Nabaq, Ras Mohamed, Saint Catherine & Taba.