1. Overview
South Sinai Governorate (Janub Sina') is one of the most spectacularly beautiful regions on Earth. Located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, it is wedged between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. It is a land of dramatic contrasts: rugged red granite mountains, including Egypt's highest peaks, drop sharply into the deep blue, coral-rich waters of the Red Sea. Internationally famous for Sharm El Sheikh (the City of Peace), the laid-back vibe of Dahab, and the spiritual sanctity of Saint Catherine's Monastery, South Sinai is a global hub for divers, pilgrims, hikers, and peace-seekers.
• Location: Southern Sinai Peninsula, Red Sea.
• Capital: El Tor.
• Key Cities: Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba.
• Famous For: Diving (Ras Mohammed), Mount Sinai, St. Catherine, Colored Canyon.
• Population: Approx. 115,000 (Least populated governorate).
2. Name & Origin of South Sinai
The name "Sinai" is believed to be connected to Sin, the ancient moon god of the desert, or the Hebrew word Seneh (bush), referring to the Burning Bush. South Sinai is distinguished by its mountainous topography, contrasting with the dunes of the north. Historically, the Ancient Egyptians called it Mafkat (Land of Turquoise) due to the turquoise mines in Serabit El-Khadim.
3. Historical Timeline
South Sinai was not a place of permanent settlement but a region of mining expeditions. Pharaohs sent missions to extract copper and turquoise from Wadi Maghara and Serabit El-Khadim, leaving behind temples dedicated to Hathor, the "Lady of Turquoise."
The region continued to be a source of minerals. Nabataean merchants from Petra used the wadis of South Sinai as trade routes to connect Arabia with Egypt, leaving inscriptions on rocks across the desert.
South Sinai became the cradle of Christian monasticism. Seeking solitude, hermits settled in caves around Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), believed to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments. In the 4th century, Empress Helena built a chapel at the site of the Burning Bush. In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian fortified the site, creating the Monastery of Saint Catherine. It remains the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world, preserving a library second only to the Vatican in ancient manuscripts.
With the arrival of Islam, the monks of St. Catherine received a document of protection (the Ashtiname) attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, ensuring their safety. Bedouin tribes, particularly the Jabaleya tribe (brought by Justinian to protect the monastery), converted to Islam but maintained a symbiotic relationship with the Christian monks that continues to this day. The region also became a major Hajj route to Mecca.
The Ottomans respected the autonomy of the Bedouin tribes and the status of the monastery. The region remained largely isolated, serving mainly as a pilgrimage corridor and a place of spiritual retreat.
After the complete return of Sinai to Egypt in 1982 (following the Camp David Accords), South Sinai underwent a massive transformation. Small fishing villages like Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab were developed into world-class tourist destinations. The governorate was established to manage this strategic and economic asset.
4. Geography & Climate
The geography is dominated by the South Sinai Massif, a collection of granite and metamorphic mountains. It includes Mount Catherine (2,629m), the highest peak in Egypt. Deep wadis (valleys) cut through these mountains, leading to the sea. The coastline features fringing coral reefs that drop into deep abysses (like the Blue Hole). The climate is arid desert; extremely hot in summer but surprisingly cold in winter in the high mountains, where it occasionally snows.
5. Population & Society
The population is sparse but diverse. It consists of the indigenous Bedouin tribes (such as the Muzeina along the coast, Tarabin in the north, and Jabaleya in the mountains), who maintain their traditional laws and knowledge of the desert. Alongside them live Egyptians from the Nile Valley working in tourism and government, and a growing community of foreign residents in Dahab and Sharm.
6. Administrative Divisions
- El Tor: The administrative capital and oldest city, home to Hammam Musa (Moses' Bath).
- Sharm El Sheikh: The tourism powerhouse and "City of Peace."
- Dahab: A laid-back beach town famous for windsurfing and diving.
- Nuweiba: A port city and gateway to Jordan (Aqaba).
- Taba: The border crossing with Israel (Eilat).
- Saint Catherine: The high-altitude city centered around the monastery.
8. Saint Catherine – Sacred Mountain City
Located at 1,600m above sea level, this city is unique in Egypt. It is centered around the Monastery of Saint Catherine and Mount Sinai. It is a place of pilgrimage for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its cultural and natural significance.
9. Religious & Cultural Heritage
Saint Catherine’s Monastery: Enclosed by massive Justinian walls, it houses the Chapel of the Burning Bush, the Well of Moses, and a Fatimid Mosque built inside the walls (a symbol of coexistence). Its library contains thousands of ancient icons and manuscripts.
Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa): Thousands of pilgrims hike up this 2,285m peak nightly to watch the sunrise from the spot where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments.
10. Bedouin Culture & Cuisine
The Bedouins are the guardians of the desert. The Jabaleya tribe is unique; they trace their lineage to soldiers from the Balkans sent by Emperor Justinian to protect the monastery. Bedouin hospitality is legendary, often involving tea ceremonies and poetry.
Cuisine: A culinary highlight is Mandi, a traditional dish of meat (usually goat or chicken) and rice spiced with a special blend, slow-cooked in an underground pit oven (taboon). This method infuses the food with a distinct smoky flavor, creating a feast often shared under the stars in desert camps.
11. Tourism Hubs
Dahab: ("Gold" in Arabic) sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It attracts backpackers, digital nomads, and divers seeking a bohemian, relaxed atmosphere. The "Lagoon" is a world-famous windsurfing spot.
Nuweiba & Taba: Offer eco-camps (campsites) on the beach, popular for those seeking silence and nature.
12. Diving & Marine Life (World-Class Ecosystem)
South Sinai is a mecca for divers. The Red Sea here is renowned for visibility, coral diversity, and marine life.
Ras Mohammed National Park: Located at the southern tip of the peninsula, it is Egypt's first national park. It offers some of the world's most spectacular diving sites, including Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, famous for their sheer walls, currents, and abundance of marine life.
The Blue Hole (Dahab): A submarine sinkhole over 100m deep, famous among freedivers and tech divers.
The Thistlegorm Wreck: A WWII British ship sunk by German bombers, now a legendary dive site.
13. Colored Canyon & Hiking
Colored Canyon (Salama Canyon): Located near Nuweiba, this geological wonder is a maze of sandstone rocks in vibrant shades of yellow, purple, red, and gold, sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. It is a favorite spot for hiking and photography.
The Sinai Trail is Egypt's first long-distance hiking trail, created by Bedouin tribes. It spans hundreds of kilometers, allowing hikers to explore the deep wilderness, hidden wadis, and high peaks like Jebel Abbas Basha and Jebel Bab.
14. Economy of South Sinai
The economy is almost entirely dependent on Tourism. Other sectors include:
Petroleum: Oil fields along the Gulf of Suez.
Services: Transportation, hospitality, and logistics.
Handicrafts: Bedouin women produce beaded jewelry and embroidered bags (FanSina project).
15. Wellness & Therapeutic Tourism
South Sinai is a center for natural healing.
Moses' Bath (Hammam Musa): Located near El Tor, these natural hot springs are rich in sulfur and minerals, believed to have healing properties for skin and rheumatic diseases.
Pharaoh's Bath (Hammam Pharaon): Another sulfur spring located further north, used since ancient times for therapeutic purposes.
16. Transportation & Connectivity
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is one of the busiest in Egypt. Ferries connect Sharm to Hurghada and Nuweiba to Aqaba (Jordan). The coastal highway links the cities, while sturdy 4x4 tracks penetrate the interior wadis.
17. Environmental Protection
South Sinai is home to several protected areas: Ras Mohammed, Nabq, Ras Abu Galum, and Saint Catherine. Conservation efforts focus on protecting coral reefs from climate change and plastic pollution, and preserving the Nubian Ibex and Sinai Rosefinch in the mountains.
18. South Sinai’s Role in Egypt
It is the jewel of Egypt's tourism industry, generating significant foreign currency. It serves as a global stage for peace conferences ("City of Peace") and is a symbol of Egypt's territorial integrity and religious plurality.
19. Fun Facts About South Sinai
20. Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Saint Catherine sacred to three religions?
Is South Sinai suitable for hiking?
What makes the Red Sea reefs special?
21. References & Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre (Saint Catherine Area).
- "Sinai: The Trekking Guide" by Ben Hoffler.
- Egyptian Ministry of Environment (Protectorates).
- South Sinai Governorate Official Portal.