Sinai Peninsula

Guide Note

The Sinai Peninsula is a triangular piece of land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. A part of Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula was one of the territories captured by Israel during the Six Day War in 1967. During the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Egypt regained control of the Peninsula. In 1979, Egypt and Israel singed a peace agreement on the conditions that Israel withdraw all of its forces from the Sinai. This process, which required the dismantling of several Israeli towns, was completed in 1982. The Sinai Peninsula is also famous for potentially being the home of Mount Sinai, the place at which Mosses received the Ten Commandments.

Because of its importance in ancient history, and the many beach resorts that have been developed on the Mediterranean coast, the Sinai Peninsula has become a popular tourist destination. It has also been the target of several terrorist attacks against Israeli and other foreign tourists.

Fast Facts

1. Total area: 23,166 square miles
2. Called the "Land of Fayrouz" by Egyptians
3. Captured by Israel in the Six Days War
4. Returned to Egypt in the 1973 Yom Kippur War
5. 1979 peace agreement required full Israeli withdrawal from Sinai
6. This required dismantling of several Israeli towns
7. Withdrawal process completed in 1979
8. Currently a popular tourist destination