Al ‘Arīsh, Egypt

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Al ‘Arīsh, Egypt

Region: North Sinai

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Geographic Coordinates: 31.124900, 33.800600

Climate: Hot and dry climate with very little rainfall, and high temperatures throughout the year.

Population: 178651

Language: Arabic

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Al ‘Arīsh is a picturesque city located in northeastern Egypt, Along the Mediterranean Sea. As the capital of North Sinai Governorate, It has a population of around 160, 000 people and boasts a rich history that dates back to ancient times. One of its main attractions is undoubtedly its stunning beaches. With crystal-clear waters and soft sandy shores, Visitors can enjoy sunbathing or swimming while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Those interested in exploring underwater life can participate in activities like snorkeling or scuba diving.

History enthusiasts will also appreciate Al ‘Arīsh’s numerous historical landmarks such as Castrum Peregrinorum – an ancient Roman fortress – and local museums that showcase the area’s rich history. For those looking for cultural experiences, Al ‘Arīsh offers plenty of opportunities to immerse oneself in traditional Egyptian life. By visiting local markets filled with handmade crafts and textiles or trying out delicious traditional dishes like koshari or ful medames at local eateries, Tourists can get a taste of authentic Egyptian culture.

Nature lovers will appreciate Al ‘Arīsh’s proximity to natural wonders like Mount Sinai and Ras Mohammed National Park – both offering spectacular views of Egypt’s desert landscape. Overall, Al ‘Arīsh provides travelers with an exciting mix of history, Culture, Natural beauty and friendly locals making it an excellent destination for anyone looking for an unforgettable experience on Egypt’s northeastern coast.

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1. Al-Arish Museum
2. Al-Masjid al-Rawdah
3. The Mediterranean Sea beaches
4. Al-Hasan Mosque
5. The Ancient City of Rhinocolura (Tel Arish)
6. The Castle of Saladin (Qal’at Salah al-Din)
7. Wadi El-Arish Natural Reserve
8. El-Masa Island
9. Abu Saif Castle
10. Horriya Square

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1. Agriculture
2. Fishing
3. Tourism
4. Small-scale manufacturing

The major industries and businesses in Al ‘Arīsh, Egypt include:

• Production of dates, citrus fruits, and vegetables
• Fishing due to the city’s location on the Mediterranean coast
• Tourism, which has been growing in recent years due to the city’s historical landmarks such as the Al-Arish Mosque and Castle of El Arish
• Small-scale manufacturing businesses that produce textiles and food products

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Noteable History

1. Battle of Al-Arish (1799): A battle fought between the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte and the Ottoman army.
2. Lawrence of Arabia: T.E. Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, was stationed in Al ‘Arish during World War I as part of his campaign to support Arab nationalists against the Ottoman Empire.
3. Israeli-Palestinian conflict: During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Al ‘Arish was occupied by Israel but later returned to Egyptian control after a peace agreement was signed in 1979.
4. Suez Crisis (1956): A military conflict between Egypt and a coalition of France, Britain, and Israel over control of the Suez Canal which runs through Al ‘Arish.
5. Yasser Arafat: The former Palestinian leader spent time in exile in Al ‘Arish during his early years as a political activist.
6. Sinai Peninsula bombings (2004-2006): A series of terrorist attacks targeted at tourists that occurred in various locations including Al ‘Arish.
7. Rafah Border Crossing: The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza is located near Al ‘Arish and has been a focal point for political tensions between Egypt and Hamas since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Al-Arish Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of North Sinai through a collection of artifacts and exhibits.
2. El-Masaeed Mosque: With its unique architecture and beautiful interior design, this mosque is one of the oldest in Al ‘Arīsh.
3. The War Memorial: Located in the city center, this monument honors those who lost their lives in wars and conflicts throughout Egypt’s history.
4. The Roman Amphitheatre: An ancient amphitheater built during the Roman era that has been well-preserved over time.
5. Al-Fayrouz Garden: A stunning park near the Mediterranean Sea with breathtaking views of the water and lush greenery to enjoy.
6. The Bedouin Market: A lively market where locals sell traditional crafts, textiles, food, and other goods unique to Bedouin culture.
7. El-Salam Canal Bridge: This modern architectural wonder spans across a canal connecting Al ‘Arīsh to other cities in Egypt.
8. The Old City Walls: These historic walls date back to Ottoman times and are an important part of Al ‘Arīsh’s cultural heritage.
9. The Church of St George (Mar Girgis): One of North Sinai’s oldest churches with a rich history dating back to early Christianity in Egypt.
10. Wadi al-Arish Nature Reserve: A protected area on the outskirts of town where visitors can explore desert landscapes filled with wildlife such as gazelles, foxes, hyenas, birds-of-prey among others.

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Sports Teams

1. Egypt is renowned for its ardent devotion to soccer, which is the most sought-after sport in the nation.
2. The Egyptian Premier League serves as the highest professional league for football clubs in Egypt.
3. Al Ahly SC and Zamalek SC are two of Cairo’s prominent football clubs with a vast fan base throughout Egypt.
4. Apart from soccer, basketball and handball are also popular team sports in Egypt.
5. 18 teams participate annually in the Egyptian Basketball League to compete for the championship title.
6. Al Ahly SC and Zamalek SC also dominate handball.
7. In general, although there is no specific information about sports teams based in Al ‘Arīsh due to its smaller size compared to Cairo or Alexandria where most major sporting events take place; it can be safely said that Egyptians have an intense passion for sports, and there are likely local teams representing various disciplines throughout different regions of the country.

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Cultural Events

1. Sinai Liberation Day is a national holiday celebrated on April 25th every year to commemorate the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982.
2. Eid al-Fitr is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide at the end of Ramadan.
3. Moulid al-Nabi is a religious festival celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad and observed by Muslims worldwide.
4. International Festival for Bedouin Arts and Culture celebrates Bedouin culture with music, dance, traditional crafts, and food.
5. Shamm El-Nessim is a springtime festival celebrated by Egyptians on the Monday following Coptic Easter Sunday (usually in April). It involves picnics and eating special foods like salted fish and feseekh.
6. Al-Arish Camel Festival is a popular annual event held in January that showcases camel races, folklore performances, traditional crafts exhibitions among other activities.

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Cuisine

• Seafood: As Al ‘Arīsh is a coastal city, seafood is a popular cuisine. Some of the recommended seafood restaurants are El-Ghazala Fish Restaurant and Abu Ghali Restaurant.
• Bedouin Cuisine: Bedouin cuisine is another popular food in Al ‘Arīsh. The traditional dishes include lamb or camel meat cooked with herbs and spices. The most recommended restaurant for Bedouin cuisine is Sinaa El Khair.
• Egyptian Fast Food: For those who want to try local fast food, there are many street vendors selling Koshari (a mix of pasta, rice, lentils), falafel sandwiches and shawarma.
• Coffee Shops: Coffee shops are also prevalent in Al ‘Arīsh where you can enjoy various types of coffee along with shisha (hookah). Some of the famous coffee shops are Cafe Del Mar and Cafe De La Paix.
• Bakeries: Bakeries in Al ‘Arīsh offer various types of bread like Baladi bread (traditional Egyptian bread), Feteer Meshaltet (layered pastry) and Basbousa (sweet cake made from semolina). The most famous bakery in town is Ali Baba Bakery & Pastry Shop.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Al-Arish Public Park is a spacious park situated in the heart of Al-Arish, providing visitors with green spaces, walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
2. Al-Masaeed Beach is a well-known beach that lies just outside of the city center of Al-Arish where tourists can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
3. El-Masafer Park is a picturesque park located on the outskirts of the city that offers hiking trails and outdoor recreational activities.
4. Qattan Mosque Park is an attractive park with a large mosque at its center that provides ample space for picnics and relaxation.
5. El-Karama Gardens offer visitors a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life with their lush greenery and serene atmosphere.
6. The Sinai Desert Safari offers an exhilarating desert safari adventure for tourists to explore the rugged beauty of Sinai’s desert landscape either on foot or by camelback.
7. The Red Sea Diving Center is positioned near Al-Arish’s coastline which gives visitors an opportunity to discover Egypt’s rich marine life found in its waters through scuba diving or snorkeling tours.

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Find Yourself Again.

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