Sinaí

Sinaï, known locally as Sinaï, is a peninsula in northeastern Egypt that forms a land bridge between Africa and Asia. It is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez to the west and south, and the Gulf of Aqaba to the northeast. Administratively, Sinaï is part of Egypt and is divided into two governorates: North Sinaï (capital Arish) and South Sinaï (capital Al-Tur).

Geography and environment: The peninsula comprises arid deserts, rugged mountains, and coastal plains. The Sinaï Mountains include peak groups with Mount Catherine as the highest point, roughly 2,600 meters. Protected areas such as St. Catherine's National Park and Ras Mohammed National Park preserve diverse landscapes and habitats. The climate is hot and dry, with scarce water resources.

History and archaeology: Sinaï has long been a crossroads linking Africa and the Levant. In Judeo-Christian tradition, Mount Sinai is associated with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. In the modern era, Sinaï was occupied by Israel from 1949–1956 and 1967–1982, until its return to Egypt under the 1979 peace treaty.

Modern period and security: Since the early 2010s, parts of North Sinaï have faced Islamist militant activity linked to groups such as ISIS, prompting security operations by the Egyptian government. Despite security concerns in some areas, South Sinaï has developed into a major tourist destination, with Sharm el-Sheikh and other resort towns accounting for a substantial portion of Egypt's tourism.

Economy and demography: Populations are primarily Egyptian Arabs, with Bedouin communities living in various towns. The economy relies on tourism, fishing, and agriculture, aided by infrastructure such as airports and roads connecting the tourist centers to Cairo and the Suez Canal region.