Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh commonly shortened to simply Sharm, is a resort town that is found between the desert on the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. It is known as the “City of Peace” (Madinet Es-Salam), referring to the large amount of International Peace Conferences that have been held there. Sharm is also the administrative hub of Egypt’s South Sinai Governorate, which includes the smaller coastal towns of Dahab and Nuweiba as well as the mountainous interior, St. Catherine and Mount Sinai.

Sharm is on a promontory overlooking the Straits of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba and is well known for its sheltered sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. Naama Bay, with a palm tree-lined promenade, is filled with bars and restaurants perfect for the night out and ready to explore the local cuisine. Ras Muhammed National Park is a major diving destination for both experienced and new divers alike, with marine life around Shark reef, Yolanda wreck and the SS Thistlegorm wreck.

Its strategic importance led to the transformation from a small fishing village into a major port and naval base for the Egyptian Navy. During the Suez Crisis of 1956 Sharm was conquered by Israel and subsequently returned to Egypt in 1957. A United Nations peacekeeping force was stationed there until the 1967 Six-Day War when it was reoccupied by Israel. Sharm El Sheikh remained under Israeli control until the Sinai Peninsula was returned to Egyptian control in 1982 after the signing of the Egypt–Israel peace treaty of 1979. Egypt’s then-president Hosni Mubarak designated Sharm El Sheikh as The City of Peace in 1982, the Egyptian government began a policy to encourage the development of the city. Many peace conferences was held here such as the 4 September 1999 agreement to restore Palestinian self-rule over the Gaza Strip.