Overview

Egypt officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country in North Africa that includes the Sinai Peninsula, a land bridge to Asia.
Covering an area of about 1,001,450 square kilometers (386,560 square miles), Egypt borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east. The northern coast borders the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern coast borders the Red Sea

Egypt is one of the Most Populous Countries in Africa.

The vast majority of its estimated 78 million people (2007) live near the banks of the Nile River (about 40,000 km² or 15,450 sq miles) where the only arable agricultural land is found.[1] Large areas of land form part of the Sahara Desert and are sparsely inhabited.
Around half of Egypt's residents live in urban areas, with the majority spread across the densely populated centers of greater Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities in the Nile Delta.
Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most famous monuments, including the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx; the southern city of Luxor contains a particularly large number of ancient artifacts such as the Karnack Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Today, Egypt is widely regarded as an important political and cultural centre of the Middle East.

Red Sea

Egyptians were the first to attempt a mission of exploration in the Red Sea. The Bible, in the book of Exodus, famously tells the story of how Moses leads the Israelites across its headwaters, (presumably the Reed Sea which has since disappeared because of the Suez Canal water diversion) to freedom, by using the powers of God to part the waters.
There is no extant archaeological evidence to support this claim. It was a Greek sailor, Hippalus, who conferred an international dimension upon the Red Sea in his manifesto on the voyage of the Eritrea Sea and thus opened it up to an immense and exclusive trade with Asia. It was only from the 15th century onwards that Europe began to show interest in this area. In 1798, France charged General Bonaparte with invading Egypt and capturing the Red Sea.
Although he failed in his mission, the engineer J.B. Lepere, who took part in it revitalized the plan for a canal which had been envisaged during the reign of the Pharaohs. The Suez Canal was opened in November 1869. At the time, the British, French, and Italians shared the trading posts.
The posts were gradually dismantled following the First World War. After the Second World War, the Americans and Soviets exerted their influence whilst the volume of oil tanker traffic intensified. However, the Six Day War culminated in the closure of the Suez Canal from 1967 to 1975. Still today, in spite of patrols by the major maritime fleets in the waters of the Red Sea, the Suez Canal has never recovered its supremacy over the Cape route, which is believed tube less vulnerable.

Red Sea Name

The name of the sea does not indicate the color of the water since it is not red. It may signify the seasonal blooms of the red-colored cyan bacteria Tricho desmium erythrism near the water surface. Some suggest that it refers to the mineral-rich red mountains nearby which are called Harei Edom . Edom, meaning "ruddy complexion", is also an alternative Hebrew name for the red-faced biblical character Esau (brother of Jacob), and the nation descended from him, the Edomites, which in turn provides yet another possible origin for Red Sea.[citation needed]Another hypothesis is that the name comes from the Himyarite, a local group whose own name means red.
Yet another theory favored by some modern scholars is the name red is referring to the direction south, the same way the Black Sea's name may refer to north. The basis of this theory is that some Asiatic languages used color words to refer to the cardinal directions.
Herodotus on one occasion uses Red Sea and Southern Sea interchangeably.[1]A final theory suggests that it was named so because it borders the Egyptian Desert which the ancient Egyptians called the Dashret or "red land"; therefore it would have been the sea of the red land.
The association of the Red Sea with the Biblical account of the Exodus, in particular in the Passage of the Red Sea, goes back to the Septuagint translation of the book of Exodus from Hebrew into Koine, in which Hebrew Yam suph, meaning Reed Sea, is translated as Erythra Thalassa (Red Sea). Yam Suph is also
the name for the Red Sea in Modern Hebrew.

Red Sea Life

The Red Sea is a rich and diverse ecosystem. More than 1100 species of fish[2] have been recorded in the red sea, and around 10% of these are found nowhere else.[3] This also includes around 75 species of deepwater fish.[2] The rich diversity is in part due to the 2000 km of coral reef extending along its coastline; these fringing reefs are 5000-7000 years old and are largely formed of stony acropora and porites corals.
The reefs form platforms and sometimes lagoons along the coast and occasional other features such as cylinders (such as the blue hole at Dahab).

Red Sea Coral and Marine Fish

These coastal reefs are also visited by pelagic species of red sea fish, including some of the 44 species of shark. The special biodiversity of the area is recognized by the Egyptian government, who set up the Ras Mohammed National Park in 1983.
The rules and regulations governing this area area protect local wildlife, which has become a major draw for tourists, in particular for diving enthusiasts. Divers and snorkellers should be aware that although most Red Sea species are innocuous, a few are hazardous to humans. Other marine habitats include sea grass beds, salt pans, mangroves and salt marshes.

Hurghada

Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and since the 1980s has been continually enlarged by American, European and Arab investors to become the leading bathing resort on the Red Sea. Holiday villages and first class hotels provide excellent aquatic sport facilities for sail boarders, yachtsmen, scuba divers and snorklers.
Hurghada today has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens are some of the finest in the world, and famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. This area has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm and efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main road.
While in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea Hurghada stretches for about 40 km along the seashore, and it doesn't reach far into the surrounding desert. The resort is a destination for package holiday tourists from Europe, notably Russians, Czechs and Germans. Until a few years ago it remained a small fishing village.
Today Hurghada counts 40,000 inhabitants and is divided into three parts: Downtown (El Dahar) is the old part; Sekalla is the modern part, and El Korra Road is the most modern part. Sakkala is the relatively modest hotel quarter. Dahar is where the town's largest bazaar, the post office and the long-distance bus station are situated. Many restaurants, bars and shops, small pubs and internet cafes are available all over Hurghada.
Hurghada is served by the Hurghada International Airport with scheduled passenger traffic to and from Cairo and direct connections with several cities in Europe.
Hurghada is known as a party town, and with its many clubs, life could be said to begin there at night. Nearly every hotel has its own disco. The most famous ones at the moment are "Calypso" and "Papas Beach".[citation needed] Renowned for belly dancing, Arabic and Nubian folklore, is "Alf Leila Wa Leila" ("One thousand and one nights"). It is a big open-air area, which offers a bit of everything.
Hurghada has become an international center for aquatic sports like windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, and above all snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. Hurghada provides a gateway to prime diving sites throughout the Red Sea. Its central location provides favorable access to very famous dive sites. In addition, Hurghada is known for providing access to many uninhabited offshore reefs and islands.

Hurghada Facts and Figures

Diving in Hurghada:
The calm reefs of Hurghada are the perfect place for the beginning diver to hone his or her skills before moving on to the Red Sea's highly-acclaimed reefs and wrecks. Experienced divers drawn to the region to explore those same sites will find that Hurghada diving centers have plenty to offer them as well

Water Sports and activities in Hurghada

Hurghada has countless opportunities for all ages and inclinations to enjoy fun, fitness, and fresh air. Take advantage of top-of-the-line equipment and professional staff at various sports-related centers to learn something new. Try kite boarding or windsurfing; learn to dive or play squash! Ride horseback through the desert. Whatever your interests, you'll find an activity just right for you.
Aqua Centers
Most of Hurghada aqua sports and dive centers offer equipment for catamarans, banana boats and snorkeling.
Biking
Have the urge to explore Hurghada on two wheels? Try scooter and bicycle rentals.
Beach Volleyball
Volleyball games are organized on a number of Hurghada Hotel beaches.
Boat Charter
Several specialized boat charter companies in Hurghada offer regular day trips or allow you to arrange your private day trip and multi-day diving and non-diving cruises with options such as beach and island stops.
Fishing
Boats with fishing rods and equipment are available through many aqua and diving centers in Hurghada.
Go-Karts
Burn rubber on the popular go-cart circuit, which is located on the road between the downtown area and the intercontinental
road. Open from 11:00 to 23:00. Internal extension 2188.
Golf
The nearst golf play ground located in El Gouna 20 KM from Hurghada. El Gouna's 18-hole course boasts year-round golfing in a setting where players can feast their eyes on stunning views of mountain, water and sky as the course challenges the strength, ingenuity, and skill of novice and professional alike. Horseback Riding
Ride horses and camels at the Mövenpick El Gouna, Intercontinental Hurghada and Zeytouna Beach or go for full service at Yalla Horse Stables in El Gouna. Yalla offers professional service and trained staff to assist you. They have Arabian cross horses as well as ponies for children. Don't miss their exclusive horse-drawn carriage trips!
Quad Safari
Desert safari is one of the main activities in Hurghada. Quads are available for rent in two-hour increments and for half and full-day trips. Take them for an exciting desert safari, a full moon trip, or a visit to the Bedouin. Guides are available to accompany you and show you the best spots or organize a BBQ for your group.
Hurghada Beaches
You can spend all day every day of your holiday on Hurhada beaches without ever having to stay on the same beach twice! Have drinks and treats delivered right to your chair at your hotel beach, enjoy cold refreshments and groove to music on the beach or pack a lunch and head to the white sands and glorious isolation of one of the many deserted islands near Hurghada. Following is a list of Hurghada islands.

Hurghada Islands

Tawila Island
Enjoy the secluded beach at Tawila, just over an hour from Hurghada, where you can take a long walk on sparkling white sandy beaches and revel in the island's natural beauty or take a swim in crystal clear waters. The boat ride to the island is a joy in itself, and spotting dolphins along the way is very common. Charter boats can arrange for food and drinks on the beach.
Gobal Island
Located around two hours' distance from Hurghada, this gorgeous island offers breathtaking snorkeling from the uninhabited sandy beaches. Enjoy lunch on the beach and own an island for a day.
Giftun Island
Mahmeya Beach on the beautiful Giftun Island has been kept true to its natural environment even as complete services have been added, making it the only island with complete services. A beach restaurant serves up great grilled platters, seafood, and pizza while you relax on the beach with a hip mix of backdrop music, creating a fun atmosphere as you sip an ice cold beer. Located just over an hour from Hurghada.

Notable places in proximity of Hurghada