Sinai Peninsula Egypt

The Sinai Peninsula Egypt is a triangular landmass that covers about 61,100 square kilometers. Stretching 370 km in length and 150–240 km in width, it forms a natural land bridge between Africa and Asia. To the east, the Sinai is bordered by the Gulf of Aqaba, while to the west it is bounded by the Gulf of Suez, which connects to the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. To the northeast lies the Negev Desert.

The southern region of the Sinai Peninsula Egypt is dominated by rugged granite mountains with steep escarpments that descend toward the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Moving northward, the terrain shifts into a limestone plateau, while the northern third consists of a wide, sandy coastal plain that extends from the Suez Canal toward the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Among the most prominent landmarks in the Sinai Peninsula Egypt is Mount Catherine, which rises 2,640 meters, making it the highest peak in Egypt. Nearby is the famous Mount of Moses at 2,285 meters and the historic Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Catherine, a major religious and cultural site.

The Sinai Peninsula Egypt has played a significant role throughout history. Since the time of the pharaohs, it served as Egypt’s eastern gateway and was rich in turquoise and copper resources. In modern history, Sinai was a strategic center during the Arab-Israeli wars of 1956, 1967, and 1973. After the 1973 war and under the Camp David Accords (1978) and the 1979 peace treaty, the entire peninsula was returned to Egypt by 1982. The region was then divided into two governorates: North Sinai, with Al Arish as its capital, and South Sinai, with At Tur as its capital.

Today, the population of the Sinai Peninsula Egypt is largely composed of Bedouin tribes who traditionally settle near water sources or in key tourist destinations such as Saint Catherine, Dahab, Taba, Nuweiba, and Sharm El Sheikh. These areas have transformed the peninsula into one of Egypt’s most attractive tourist regions, blending history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage.