Sharm El-Sheikh;city of peace and beauty

In a tremendous success, attained for the first time worldwise by an Egyptian city, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) selected the Egyptian city of Sharm ash-Sheikh in South Sinai as the best city in the world for peace and beauty.

This coronation was made in recognition of the city's role in establishing the principles of the comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East. It has become a permanent venue for several international peace conferences as well as a venue for meetings between President Mubarak with world leaders. The city also has hosted various negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis in the presence of international and US leaders. It is worth-mentioning that life was breathed in it in 1979, following the signing of the Egyptian.

Israeli peace accord, Sharm el-Sheikh has adopted peace as a slogan dedicating all its political, economic and tourist capabilities to this end. Since the restoration of Sharm el-Sheikh to the motherland in April 1982, the Egyptian government has been keen on developing the city in all aspects. Eventually, it has become one of the most significant destinations on the world tourist map.

Strategic Significance
While the whole of Sinai is a triangular-shaped geostrategic unit, with its head in the south (Sharm el-Sheikh) and its base in the north (the Mediterranean coast), the strategic value of that triangle lies in its coasts on Aqaba Gulf, Suez Gulf and the Mediterranean and in the head of the peninsula at Sharm el-Sheikh in particular.

Accordingly, Sharm el-Sheikh is considered the strategic gate way to all Sinai as it is the only city that totally controls al-Aqaba gulf (entrance and exit) through Tiran strait and also controls the two coastal plains of South Sinai, being the focus of overland traffic on both sides. For that reason, since the beginning of the Arab-Israeli conflict, Sharm el-Sheikh had been always a strategic target. For the same reason too, as Egypt was planning to cross the Suez Canal in 1973, it devised a separate plan to control Sharm el-Sheikh area. In addition, the strait of Tiran, that is controlled by the Sharm el-Sheikh rock, has a strategic and military significance in time of war as well as a tourist and an economic recreational significance in time of peace.

Strategically speaking, the strait of Tiran is considered the connecting point between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with the coastal borders between both countries only 10-km apart. This is an ideal location for linking Sinai to Saudi Arabia; thus reviving the old land route that ran from Suez, through Mitla passage and Darb al-Haj to the fort of Nekhel to Ras an-Naqab and Aqaba to the holy lands of al-Hijaz.

Studies, researches, papyra, antiquities and messages found in ancient Egyptian temples suggest that the Aqaba gulf, Sharm el-Sheikh and the Palestinian Naqab were under the control of the Pharaohs who used to travel there and get copper, metals and precious stones.

In the Islamic era, the Arab rulers and sultans paid attention to that area, thus attracting,the attention of colonial powers during the past two centuries. Britain, for instance, was searching in this area for metals, especially copper and raw materials, in order to feed its industries during the Industrial Revolution.

As a matter of fact, the picturesque secenery of Sharm el-Sheikh: its high mountains that are adorned with the harmonious colours of iron and manganese, its fauna and flora, turquoise water, sunny weather, coral reefs and the nature reserves-all have qualified Sharm el-Sheikh as the best city in the world for tourism and beauty. Thus, Sharm el-Sheikh ranked first among Egyptian tourist cities in terms of number of tourists and tourist nights. The peak tourist season in Sharm el-Sheikh is August, October, November, March and April in addition to holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Italians and Germans normally top the list of tourists visiting Sharm el-Sheikh followed by Swiss, American, British, French besides some tourists from new markets like Japan and South Africa.

According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the population of Sharm el-Sheikh will rise to 8291 during this year. Sharm el-Sheikh is divided into several quarters; namely, Sharm el-Mayya (yacht marina), Umm-Sayyed plateau, the hotel and tourist resort area, N'ema bay that comprises the largest number of tourist villages and entertainment facilities, and Ras Nosrani where the airport lies.

The Prize: a Crown for the Charming City
During 2000, the national committee of the UNESCO, headed by Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Mufeed Shehab, nominated Sharm el-Sheikh to the organization?s prize of the best city in the world for peace. In March 2002, the UNESCO declared that the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh was selected as the best city for peace out of 10,000 cities all over the world. About 430 cities were nominated to win the prize. In March 18, Major-General Saleh Abdel-Raouf, head of Sharm el-Sheikh city, travelled to Morocco, on behalf of Maj-Gen Mustafa Afifi, governer of South Sinai, so as to receive the prize of 2000/01.

Since its establishment in 1996/97, the prize has been granted to those who work on developing the culture of peace, creating a civilized society and increasing cooperation between model cities.
Elite Traveler, a US travel magazine, with a niche readership of well-off social categories, has recently published a feature, with colour photographs of the most important tourist resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The magazine reviewed major resorts and world hotel chains in the city that has a unique view of the stupendous Red Sea coasts. The city had played host to major dignitaries including former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State, Madelene Ulbright. These resorts provide high-quality services, in compliance with international standards. The magazine also highlighted Sharm el-Sheikh as one of the best diving sites in the world.

Besides its mild weather all the year round, the city abounds in religious and historical sites, including St. Catherine Monastery. The city has many other tourist amenities including Safari sports, golfing and special evenings in the company of Sinai bedowins, known for their hospitality.