The coldest location in Egypt is the Saint Catherine area, centered around Mount Catherine (Gebel Katarina) in the South Sinai Governorate. At 2,629 meters (8,625 ft) above sea level, it is Egypt's highest peak. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing, and snowfall occurs most years—a rarity in the otherwise arid, hot country. The region is also home to the historic Saint Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a destination for both pilgrims and trekkers seeking alpine conditions in the desert.