Mountains, Deserts & Coral Reefs

Surrounded by vast deserts, the Red Sea expands 2000 km (1300 miles) from the north, the Gulf of Aqaba, to Bab el Mandeb in the south. The Gulf of Aqaba ending at the Straits of Tiran reaches a length of 180 km (110 miles).Following the Syrian-African Rift Valley the Gulf is 25 km (14 miles) wide, and 1800 m (6000 feet) deep. Fringing coral reefs developed all along the coast line.

There are many special aspects in this area : Water temperature is relatively constant. During summer maximun 28 º C and in winter not less than 21 º C. Seldom storms and rainfall (occasionally in winter), as well as mild currents prevent sediments to slow coral growth and allow excellent visiblility. Low humidity and the high rate of evaporation due to high temperatures, make the Red Sea one of the saltiest life-sustaining seas in the world. Salinity reaches 4.1 % and therefore a large variety of endemic species have developed. As a result this area has one of the richest concentrations of varieties of marine life in all of the tropical seas.

Sharm el Sheikh

Without a doubt, Sharm el Sheikh is one of the best diving destinations in the world. It has always been a beautiful place, but never before has it been as famous and comfortable as it is today. Twenty years ago a diving trip was real adventure. Divers had to accept a long trek through the desert and setting up camp at the beach before they could go for a dive.

Today, visitors are offered a variety of adventures and luxuries. Four and five star hotels like the Ghazala, Hilton, Mövenpick, Baron, Mariott and many others are present. But in the background there is still the never-ending magnitude of the Sinai Desert. The center of activities where most of the hotels and diving centers are located is Naama Bay, 7 km from the City of Sharm El Sheikh. Due to the great demand new accommodations are also available outside of Naama Bay, such as the Baron Resort in Ras Nasrani.

Numerous bars, restaurants, shops and the attractive Mediterranean promenade, have made Naama Bay a busy holiday resort. In the center of Naama Bay, arabic stile bazars, shops and coffee houses invite the visitor for a stroll and shopping for typical souvenirs and handicrafts. A variety of bars,discos and even a casino offer entertainment until late into the night. Though diving is still one of the main attractions in Sharm el Sheikh, a lot of other water sports, excursions and activities are available. A camelride at sunset in the desert, visits to Mount Moses and the St. Katherine Monastery, excursions to the ancient City of Petra in neighboring Jordan or desert safaris with cross-country vehicles.

Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam (alias Mersa; arabian: Marsa Alam) lies on the Red Sea in South Egypt, 271 km South of Hurghada. Edfu is about 220 km away, it is 250 km to Ash-Shalatin and 131 km to the north lies al-Quesir. During the last two decades it has grown from a small coastal village with only a handful of small stone huts into a small town. It's importance lies in the location on the main coastal through-road, at the main cross-roads to Edfu in the Nile valley and to the recently growing tourism. Since November 2001, Marsa Alam can be more comfortably reached from the new airport Marsa Alam, which lies about 60 km NNW.

The approx. 6000 inhabitants are mainly fishermen; keep sheep, goats and dromedaries; work in the few mines, marble and granite quarries; many are unemployed. Mining has been done in this area for thousands of years. During the time of the Pharaohs and later, under the Romans, the region was well known for it's deposits of gold, emeralds and semi-precious stones, as well as for copper and lead. The road to Edfu was probably built during the reign of Ptolemaus II and travels past many important historical sites, such as Wadi Miya with its famous temple built by Seti I and Wadi Baramiya where the ancient Egyptians operated mines. The business of grinding quartz containing thin veins of gold producing about 20 g gold per tonne continued into the period of English occupation before being closed down as longer cost effective. A few years ago, the mines were reopened for operation once more by Australian investors using modern methods of mining.

The residents in the area original belong to one of two tribes: the Ababda from the north and the Bedsha- Bedouins from the south, who have lived for generations in the eastern desert and were already used in the defence of the border by the ancient Egyptians. Later they intermingled with the Arabs, who also brought the Islamic religion into the country. They keep and breed animals, are well known for producing charcoal and were famous hunters.