Facts About the Sinai Peninsula

The Sinai Peninsula is a triangular land bridge between Africa and Asia, part of Egypt. Key facts:

Geography

• Area: ~61,100 km² (23,600 sq mi).
• Bounded by Mediterranean (N), Gulf of Aqaba (E), Gulf of Suez (W).
• Connected to mainland by Isthmus of Suez.
• Highest point: Mount Catherine (2,642 m / 8,668 ft).
• Features: desert plains, mountains, wadis (e.g., Wadi Feiran oasis), coral reefs.

History

• Biblical Mount Sinai (Ten Commandments).
• Controlled by Egyptians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans.
• Israeli occupation 1967–1982; returned via Camp David Accords.

Resources & Economy

• Minerals: manganese, copper, petroleum.
• Oil fields in north; Gulf of Suez shipping lane.
• Tourism: Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba (diving, beaches).

People & Environment

• Sparse population (~600K), mostly Bedouin in towns (El-Arish, Sharm).
• Economy: tourism, fishing, date farming.
• Challenges: desertification, water scarcity, climate change.

Sinai is a strategic, resource-rich, culturally layered crossroads.