Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh  is a city situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governor ate, Egypt, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. Its population is approximately 35,000 (2008). Sharm el-Sheikh is the administrative hub of Egypt's South Sinai Governorate which includes the smaller coastal towns of Dahab and Nuweiba as well as the mountainous interior, Saint Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai

Is called the jewel of the Sinai Sharm El Sheikh. The city of Sharm el-Sheikh Between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. The Sinai Peninsula It links the continent of Asia and Africa Which is located on the edge of the city of Sharm el-Sheikh. The Sharm el-Sheikh of the important tourist cities And more sophisticated resorts

Sharm el-Sheikh is sometimes called the "City of Peace", referring to the large number of international peace conferences that have been held there. was known as Ofira during Israeli occupation between 1967 and 1982. Among Egyptians, the name of the city is commonly shortened to "Sharm "

Sharm el-Sheikh is on a promontory overlooking the Straits of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. A hierarchical planning approach was adopted for the Gulf of Aqaba, whereby their components were evaluated and subdivided into zones, cities and centers. In accordance with this approach the Gulf of Aqaba zone was subdivided into four cities: Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab and Sharm El-Sheikh.
Sharm el-Sheikh city has been subdivided into five homogeneous centers, namely Nabq, Ras Nusrani, Naama Bay, Umm Sid and Sharm El Maya.

In 2005, the resort was hit by the Sharm el-Sheikh terrorist attacks, which were perpetrated by an extremist Islamist organization, and aimed at Egypt's tourist industry. Eighty-eight people were killed, the majority of them Egyptians, and over 200 were wounded by the attack, making it the deadliest terrorist action in the country's history (exceeding the Luxor massacre of 1997).

Climate data for Sharm El Sheikh

 Economy and tourism
Sharm el-Sheikh's major industry is foreign and domestic tourism, owing to its dramatic landscape, year-round dry and temperate climate and long stretches of natural beaches. Its waters are clear and calm for most of the year and have become popular for various waterspouts, particularly recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. There is great scope for scientific tourism with diversity in marine life species; 250 different coral reefs and 1000 species of fish.

These natural resources, together with its proximity to European tourism markets, have stimulated the rapid growth of tourism that the region is currently experiencing. The total number of resorts increased from three in 1982 to ninety one in 2000. Guest nights also increased in that period of time from sixteen thousand to 5.1 million. Companies which have been attracted to invest in this city include Hyatt Regency, Accor, Marriott, Le Méridien, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, with categories of three to five stars. In 2007 the area saw the opening of its first aqua park hotel resort. The four star Aqua Blu Sharm Resort was built on the Ras Om El Seid, with an area of 133,905 square metres (1,441,340 sq ft).

Sharm is also the home of a congress center, located along peace road, where many international political and economic meetings have been held, including peace conferences, ministerial meetings, world bank meetings, Arab League. The Maritim Sharm el-Sheikh International Congress Centre can host events and congresses for up to 4,700 participants.

The colorful handicraft stands of the local Bedouin culture are a popular attraction. Ras Mohammed, at the southern-most tip of the peninsula, has been designated a national park, serving to protect the area's wildlife as well as its natural landscape, shoreline and coral reef. A number of international hotels and noted restaurants are clustered around the centre of Sharm, known as Naama Bay, with golf courses and other leisure facilities further up the coast.

The Nabq Managed Resource Protected Area is a 600 square kilometres (230 sq mi) area of mangroves, coral reefs, fertile dunes, birds and wildlife.

Scuba diving and water sports
Sharm el-Sheikh has also become a favorite spot for scuba divers from around the world. Being situated near the Red Sea, it provides some of the most stunning underwater scenery and warm water making this an ideal place to dive. Visitors to Sharm el-Sheikh can experience a variety of water and activities. Beach seekers find many activities such as diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite surfing, para-sailing, boating, and canoeing.

Ras Mohammed is the national park of South Sinai, located on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Along with Nabq, it has famous dive sites in the Red Sea, with 800-metre (2,600 ft) deep reef walls, pounding current and coral gardens.

The Sharm el-Sheikh Hyperbaric Medical Center was founded in 1993 with a grant from USAID by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, represented by Dr. Adel Taher to assist with diving related illnesses and complete the area's reputation as a full-service dive destination.

The most important nature reserves

  Ras Mohammed: - The area of ​​Ras Mohammed and the islands of Tiran and Sanafir nature reserve in 1983 as the first nature reserve in Egypt and is the reserve at the confluence of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula, about 12 kilometers from the city of Sharm el-Sheikh and about 70 kilometers from the city of Tur

2 - Abu Jalom protected: - Abu Jalom Reserve lies on the Gulf of Aqaba on the road between Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba area called Wadi Alrsash, has declared a reserve in 1992. The topography of this region is characterized by private and integrated environmental system that combines desert, mountain and valleys punctuated by a group which imparts special beauty of the area .. In addition to the marine environment is rich in wonderful qualities of coral reefs and colorful fish and wildlife reserve, there is a rich and Altiatl includes deer, foxes, hyrax and porcupine quills and mother dorsal and many of the rodents and reptiles

More Videos : Sharm El-Sheikh