Sharm el-Sheikh is an Egyptian city located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, known for its stunning landscape, warm weather, and coral reefs. It has a rich history of conflict and is now a popular tourist destination with world-class resorts, water sports, and a vibrant nightlife. It is also known as the “City of Peace” for hosting conferences and political meetings attended by world leaders.
Sharm el-Sheikh, or “Sharm” as it is also known, is an Egyptian city located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in the Janub Suia region. It is located between the Red Sea and Mount Sinai above the Strait of Tiran in the Gulf of Aqaba. Only in the last half of the 20th century did Sharm el-Sheikh evolve from a sleepy fishing village into the world-class luxury resort and international meeting place it is today.
Sharm el-Sheikh’s location made it a desirable property and it was the subject of a tug of war throughout the 20th century. It was under Israeli control in 1956 during the Sinai conflict, then returned to Egypt in 1956. Israel again occupied the post in 1957 during the Six Day War. In 1967 Sharm el-Sheikh returned to Egyptian control. Since then, Egypt has been aggressively planning the development of Sharm el-Sheikh with the aim of capturing the region’s tourism market.
Tourism is, and according to planners, always will be Sharm el-Sheikh’s main industry. With its jagged mountains rising from the desert, the landscape of Sharm el-Sheikh is unique and stunning. Its miles of beaches, clean water, and warm winters (and hot summers) make it a popular destination for those looking for a unique experience. Winter temperatures average 59° to 95° Fahrenheit (15-35°C), while summer temperatures range from 68° to 113°F (20-45°C). The Red Sea water averages 70°-82° F (21-28° C) year round.
Scuba diving and snorkelling are two of the most popular activities here due to its renowned coral reefs, which are considered to be among the best in the world. Sharm el-Sheikh boasts 250 coral reefs, over 1000 species of fish, thanks to the large reserve of plankton, and coral walls 800m deep. Tiran is one of its best known diving spots, as is Ras Mohammed which is now a national park. Naama beach is also known for its beauty.
In addition to water sports, many come to Sharm el-Sheikh for its golf courses, quad biking and camel trekking. For the luxury conscious tourist, the city has many three and four star hotels and resorts to offer, world class shopping and a vibrant nightlife. In addition to its tourism industry, Sharm el-Sheikh is also known as the “City of Peace”, hosting many conferences and peace summits, as well as political and financial meetings attended by world leaders.
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