The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai (Arabic: سيناء‎ sīnā' ; Hebrew סיני) is a triangular peninsula in Egypt about 60,000 km2 (23,000 sq mi) in area. It is situated between the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the south, and it is the part of Egyptian territory located in Asia as opposed to Africa. The bulk of the peninsula is divided into two governorates (with three more splitting the Suez Canal area), and has a population of approximately 500,000 people. The region has historically been the center of conflict between various political factions, based largely on its location. In addition to periods of direct rule by Egyptian governments (including the Ayyubids, the Mamluks, the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, and the modern Egyptian republic), it was like the rest of Egypt also occupied and controlled by the Ottoman Empire, and the United Kingdom which occupied Egypt from 1882 till 1956. Israel gained control of the Sinai in the Suez Crisis of 1956 and during the Six Day War of 1967. In the October War of 1973, it was the site of fierce fighting between Egyptian and Israeli forces. In 1982, after the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979, Israel withdrew from the entirety of Sinai. Today, Sinai has become a tourist destination due to its natural setting, rich coral reefs, and biblical history. Mount Sinai is one of the most religiously significant places in Abrahamic faiths.

Sinai History





Sinai was inhabited by the Monitu and was called Mafkat or Country of Turquoise.[2] From the time of the First dynasty or before, the Egyptians mined turquoise in Sinai at two locations, now called by their Arabic names Wadi Maghareh and Serabit el-Khadim. The mines were worked intermittently and on a seasonal basis for thousands of years. Modern attempts to exploit the deposits have been unprofitable. These may be the first known mines. According to the Jewish tradition the peninsula was crossed by the Israelites during The Exodus from Egypt as detailed in the Hebrew Bible. This included numerous halts over a 40 year period of travel in AM 2448 (1313 BCE) in the Jewish tradition. The peninsula was governed as part of Egypt under the Mamluk Sultanate from 1260 until 1517, when the Ottoman Sultan, Selim the Grim, defeated the Mamluks at the Battles of Marj Dabiq and al-Raydaniyya, and incorporated Egypt into the Ottoman Empire. From then until 1906, Sinai was administered by the Ottoman provincial government of the Pashalik of Egypt, even following the establishment of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty's rule over the rest of Egypt in 1805. In 1906, the Ottoman Porte formally transferred administration of Sinai to the Egyptian Government, which essentially meant that it fell under the control of the United Kingdom, who had occupied and largely controlled Egypt since 1882. The border imposed by the British runs in an almost straight line from Rafah on the Mediterranean shore to Taba on the Gulf of Aqaba. This line has served as the eastern border of Egypt ever since.

At the beginning of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egyptian forces invaded the former British Mandate of Palestine from Sinai as part of an attack by several Arab armies against the newly declared State of Israel. For a period during the war, Israeli forces entered the north-eastern corner of Sinai. With the exception of the Gaza Strip, which came under the administration of the All-Palestine Government (and was effectively put under Egyptian military administration), the western frontier of the former Mandate of Palestine became the Egyptian-Israeli frontier under the 1949 Armistice Agreement. In 1956, Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal on the western side of the Sinai Peninsula, and thereafter prohibited Israeli ships from using the Canal, in a violation of the armistice agreement signed in 1949. Egypt also prohibited ships traveling to and from Israel from using Egyptian territorial waters on the eastern side of the Peninsula, effectively imposing a blockade on the Israeli port of Eilat. Subsequently, Israeli forces, aided by Britain, and France (which sought to reverse the nationalization and regain control over the Suez Canal), invaded Sinai and occupied much of the Peninsula within a few days (see Suez Crisis). Several months later, following strong pressure from the United States and the Soviet Union, Britain, France and Israel withdrew their forces from Sinai. Thereafter, the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) was stationed in Sinai to prevent renewed conflict between the two states in Sinai.
Egypt-Israel border. Looking north from the Eilat Mountains

In 1967, Egypt reinforced its military presence in Sinai, renewed the blockade of Eilat, and on May 16 ordered the UNEF out of Sinai with immediate effect. Secretary-General U Thant eventually complied and ordered the withdrawal without Security Council authorization. After these Egyptian violations of the 1956 ceasefire agreements, in addition to Egyptian threats to attack and destroy the Jewish state, Israel invaded Sinai, commencing the Six-Day War. In this war, the Egyptian army was defeated, and Israel captured and occupied the entire peninsula. The Suez Canal, the east bank of which was now occupied by Israel, was closed. In the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Egyptian engineering forces built pontoon bridges to cross the Suez Canal, and stormed the supposedly impregnable Bar-Lev Line while many Israeli soldiers were observing a Jewish religious fast Yom Kippur. Though the Egyptians maintained control of most of the east bank of the Canal, in the later stages of the war, the Israeli military crossed the southern section of Canal, cutting off the Egyptian 3rd Army, and occupied a section of the west bank. After the war, as part of the subsequent Sinai Disengagement Agreements, Israel withdrew from the Canal, with Egypt's agreeing to permit passage of Israeli ships.

In 1979, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty in which Israel agreed to withdraw from the entirety of Sinai. Israel subsequently withdrew in several stages, ending in 1982. The Israeli pull-out involved dismantling almost all Israeli settlements, including the town of Yamit in north-eastern Sinai. The exception was Ofira, which had been developed into a resort town, which reverted to its Egyptian name of Sharm el-Sheikh. The treaty allowed monitoring of the Sinai by the Multinational Force and Observers, and limited the number of Egyptian military forces in the Peninsula. Over the years, Sinai was a site of several terrorist attacks targeting Westerners, Israelis and Egyptian tourists.

SINAI NOWDAYS

Over the past 30 years the Sinai has become a tourist destination due to its natural setting, rich coral reefs, and biblical history. The most popular tourist destination in Sinai are Mount Sinai ("Jabal Musa") and St. Catherine's Monastery, which is considered to be the oldest working Christian monastery in the world, and the beach resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. Most tourists arrive through Eilat, Israel and the Taba Border Crossing, by train or bus from Cairo or by Ferry from Aqaba in Jordan.

Most of the Sinai Peninsula is divided among two Egyptian governorates, or provinces, named Ganub Sina ("South Sinai") and Shamal Sina ("North Sinai"). Three more governates span the Suez Canal, crossing into African Egypt. el-Sewais ("the Suez") is on the southern end of the Suez Canal, el-Isma'ileyyah in the center, and Port Said in the north. Approximately 66,500 people live in Ganub Sina and 314,000 live in Shamal Sina. Port Said itself has a population of roughly 500,000 people. Portions of the populations of el-Isma'ileyyah and el-Suweis live in Sinai, while the rest live on the western side of the Suez Canal. The combined population of these two governorates is roughly 1.3 million (only a part of that population live in the Sinai, while the rest live on the western side of the Suez Canal). Sinai is one of the coldest provinces in Egypt because of its high altitudes and mountainous topographies. Winter temperatures in some of Sinai's cities and towns reach −16 °C (3 °F). Large numbers of Egyptians from the Nile Valley and Delta have moved to the area to work in tourism, while at the same time development has negatively affected the native Sinai Bedouin population. In order to help alleviate these problems, various NGOs have begun to operate in the region including the Makhad Trust, a UK charity which assists the Bedouin in developing a sustainable income while protecting Sinai's natural environment, heritage and culture.

The Pearl Of The Mediterranean

The second largest city in Egypt,  Alexandria  has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is only 225 km. from Cairo.




The beginning :
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graco-Roman Egypt; its status as a beacon of culture is symbolized by Pharos, the legendry lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world, but ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed he found a sparsely populated fishing village.
Since the 19th century Alexandria has played a new role, as a focus for Egypt's commercial and maritime expansion. This Alexandria has been immortalized by writers such as E.M. Forster and Cavafy. Generations of immigrants from Greece, Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian culture; Lawrence Durrell described it as " The capital city of Asiatic Europe, if such a thing could exist".




The city:
The Mediterranean opens its arms widely to embrace it eternal bride (Alexandria) as she moves gracefully, while its waves splash on her rocks. All the world was witness to this historical marriage contract about 2330 years ago. It was an illustrious wedding scented by history and concluded proudly under the auspices of Alexander the Great. The beginning of the idea was on the road to the Mediterranean coast when an isthmus dividing the Mediterranean from Lake Mariout attracted Alexander. Alexander pondered deeply about this site with its strange advantages that were suitable for the foundation of a great modern city in compliance with its period. Alexander's city was divided into five districts named after the first five letters of the Greek Alphabe. From these districts, the Royal Districts occupied nearly one third of the whole area of the city and overlooked the Eastern Harbor.

The Egyptians lived in the national district (Rhakotis) and the Jews lived in the fourth district known as the Delta, considered to have been the most important district in the ancient city. As for the main avenue - parallel to our present Nabi Daniel Street - it was boarded from the north by the gate of the moon and from the south by the gate of the sun. 







Alexandria Library:

Alexandria the charming city, presents to every visitor the fragrance of the past rich in history, civilization and culture. It is the city that has attracted the greatest men of letters in the world. The revival of the Alexandria Library is a huge international project which costs millions of dollars. The Labrary shall contain more than 8 million books and a reading area with two thousand seats.
This Library when it is inaugurated will possess about 400000 volumes in a hard and electronic copies. It is designed to hold 4 million volumes. In the future its capacity will reach 8 million using the compressed storage system. A museum will be attached to the Library to house the antiquities discovered at the site in 1993-1994 during the excavation work done under the supervision of the Egyptian Antiquities Department. The antiquities discovered belong to Pharaonic, Greek and Roman periods. Two statues will be positioned in the museum; one of them will be of the goddess Isis currently at the Marine Museum, and the second one is the statue of King Ptolemy 2, both are made of granite.

Within the framework of the cooperation and support of UNESCO and Italy, the Alexandria Library has just received the most modern Photocopy Lab, and will later be provided with a Microfilm Lab.  


The Underwater Discoveries:

 

Relatively new discoveries in the Eastern Harbor involve two different sites. Around Fort Qaitbey the site has unearthed hundreds of objects, including what experts believe are the remains of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the ancient wonders of the world In the south east part of the harbor archaeologists have apparently found the Royal Quarters, including granite columns and fabulous statues, including one of Isis and a sphinx with a head thought to be that of Cleopatra's father. There may vary well be an underwater exhibit in the future.
Heading towards the mainland past the Abu El-Abbas Mosque and connecting with Shari Faransa street leads to the Suq district. Just before entering the district one finds the interesting little Terbana Mosque (4). In the Suq district (5), one finds Alexandria's only surviving wakalas, which is a part of the El-Shorbagi Mosque complex founded in 1757. This was also the area where Alexandria's Jewish community lived, but most have now migrated to Israel. Different areas have specialized in different goods and one may find all manner of products from jewelry to Medicinal plants (Suq El-Magharba) to Bedouin clothing (Suq El-Libia).
Continuing down Faransa one passes Midan Tahrir (6) and the street turns into Salah Salem, and finally connects with Al-Horreya.

However, Midan Tahrir, popularly called Manshiya, has considerable history. The areas was once home to Diplomats and known as Place Des Consuls, but after the statue of Mohammed Ali was placed here in 1873 the name was changed to Midan Mohammed Ali. In 1882, it was bombarded by the British and all but destroyed. The Alexandria Stock Exchange was once located here, and it was from the midan that Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal.
The street named Al-Horreya (Tariq abd el-Nasser) which transverses the area from east to west was in ancient times the Canopic Way with the Gate of the Sun at the eastern end and the Gate of the Moon at the western end. At that time, there were probably columns lining the road. The main north to south street, now Sharia el-Nebi Daniel, ran from the East Harbor all the way to Lake Harbor on Lake Mariout.
Just south of the intersection of Al Horreya and el-Nebi Daniel was the site traditionally thought to be the burial place of Alexander the Great, but that has not been located, and may in fact be beneath the Mosque of Nebi Daniel (7) or in a nearby Greek necropolis. The famous Alexandria Library was probably nearby. However, the only real antiquities site that can be viewed in the area is Kom el-Dikka (8), a small Roman theater that has been excavated. Nearby is also a bath house of the era. To the east is the Antiques District where dealers sell antiquities, books, old weapons and furniture. Here is also the Attarine Mosque, which was once a church dedicated to Athanasius.

Further south along the tramway is Pompey's pillar (9) and nearby the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa (10). Wondering along el-Nebi Daniel are several other attrations, including the French Cultural Center, and nearby the Eliahu Hanabi Synagague (11), which is the only active synagogue in Alexandria and houses the combined treasures of the seven former Alexandrian synagogues. Back to the north on el-Nebi Daniel, next to the harbor where Ramla station is now located at Midan Saad Zaghlul was the location of the Caesareum (12). This was a magnificent temple begun by Cleopatra for her lover Antony and subsequently completed by their enemy Octavian, though none of this remains.in situ. Nearby is the well known Cecil Hotel, built in 1930, Smerset Maugham stayed here, as did Winston Churchill, and the British Secret Service one maintained a suite for their operations.
Midan Saad Zaghlul (13) is the entertainment heart and nerve center of Alexandria. here, as terminals and train stations provide a backdrop for cinemas, restaurants and night spots. It was the setting of Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet and the famous Alexandria coffee houses. The square is dominated by an impressive monument dedicated to Saad Zaghlul, a former national leader.

The Sheraton Cairo Hotel

Overview
Guest RoomsThe Sheraton Cairo Hotel 340 deluxe rooms, including 42 suites and five non-smoking floors, offer magnificent views of the city or the River Nile. Amazingly spacious, The Sheraton Cairo Hotel deluxe rooms are as comfortable as they are luxurious. All beds offer 100% Egyptian cotton linen for your added comfort.

Entertainment:
    * Gaming Casino
    * DVD Player (available in Deluxe Rooms and Suites only)
    * Satellite Channels
Bed Features:
    * Cribs (Upon Request)
Bathroom:
    * Deluxe Bath Amenities
    * Signature Bath Amenities
    * Bathrobes
    * Hairdryer
Dining:
    * Mini Bar
    * 24-Hour Room Service
Room Features:
    * Connecting Rooms Available
    * Executive Level Rooms Available
    * Suites Available
    * City View Room
    * Non-Smoking Room
    * Nile View Room
    * Balcony
Room Amenities & Services:
    * Free Newspaper
    * Fresh Flowers
    * Video Check-Out
    * Iron/Ironing Board
    * Turndown Service
    * In-Room Safe
    * Air-Conditioned Room
    * Radio/Alarm Clock
Internet Access:
    * High Speed Internet Access in Guest Rooms by Request USD 25 per day

Some of the amenities above may not be available in all rooms. Fees on certain amenities/services may apply.

Guest Rooms

Local Area
Cairo is a charming city that throbs with life and endless sightseeing options. The magical River Nile flows through the heart of the city. The great Pyramids have intrigued and puzzled visitors for centuries. And the Egyptian museum is often referred to as one of the most important museums in the world.
View Local Area Map
Arts & Culture:
    * Egyptian Museum  2.0 km/1.2 miles
    * Coptic Museum & St. Sirgus Church  5.0 km/3.1 miles
    * Islamic Museum  6.0 km/3.7 miles
    * The Sound and Light Show  12.0 km/7.5 miles

Community:
    * MISR International  2.0 km/1.2 miles
    * El Orouba School  3.0 km/1.9 miles
    * El Horeya School  3.0 km/1.9 miles
    * Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque  4.0 km/2.5 miles
    * Cairo International Conference Center  20.0 km/12.4 miles

Corporate Offices:
    * Cairo Barclays Bank  2.0 km/1.2 miles
    * American Chamber of Commerce  2.0 km/1.2 miles
    * Arab International Bank  3.0 km/1.9 miles
    * Arab African International Bank  3.0 km/1.9 miles
    * Aid Offices  3.0 km/1.9 miles
    * Central Bank of Egypt  4.0 km/2.5 miles
    * Investment Organization  4.0 km/2.5 miles

Golf;
    * Millbrook Public Golf Course  2.0 km/1.2 miles

Government Offices:
    * Russian Federation Embassy  1.0 km/0.6 miles
    * American Embassy  3.0 km/1.9 miles

Local Attractions:
    * Cairo Opera House  1.0 km/0.6 miles
    * Cairo Tower  2.0 km/1.2 miles
    * Khan El Khalily "The Bazaar"  3.0 km/1.9 miles
    * Gezirah Sporting Club  6.0 km/3.7 miles
    * The Pyramids and Sphinx  12.0 km/7.5 miles
    * Saqqara and Memphis  12.0 km/7.5 miles

Dining

Restaurants & Lounges

El Mawardy

Cuisine:	Oriental
hours:	12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Phone:	(20)(2) 33369700

Meetings & Events

The Sheraton Cairo Hotel 'll help you plan a great event in a great space.
Some of the services and facilities above may not be available on a 24-hour basis or without advance request. Fees on certain facilities/services may apply.