Northern coast of Egypt

The Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

Hotels of Porto Marina.

The Mediterranean Coast of Egypt or the Northern Coast of Egypt, known in Arabic الساحل الشمالي Al-Sāḥil al-Shamāliy, extends for about 1,050 km (650 mi) from Rafah in the east on Sinai Peninsula to Sallum in the west on the Egyptian-Libyan border. It is one of the longest Mediterranean shores in North Africa.

The city of Alexandria lies at the center of the Mediterranean Egyptian coastline, as chosen by Alexander the Great. It has been the hub of sea travel between the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile Delta for over 2300 years.

Geography and nature

On contrast to Egypt's Red Sea Riviera, its Mediterranean coastline is totally plain with low altitude shrublands along the region, except for the westernmost portion which is formed by the 400m-high Marmarika Plateau. It is also characterised by the occurrence of Egypt's five northernmost lakes.

The region has typical Mediterranean flora and fauna on land and in marine life with the weather being between pleasant and hot during summer and cold in winter. The region witnesses rain, hail and sleet during winter and sometimes in autumn and spring. Snowfalls occur in some towns and locations.

Cities, towns and villages

Egypt's Mediterranean coast can be differentiated into 4 subregions:

• • Western North Coast: Which has higher rain precipitation, higher altitude, witnesses higher snowfalls and it is colder than the other 3 portions. It also has more shrubed and forested terrain, Yet with no lakes. This subregion faces Greece and Crete. It has cities, towns and villages like:
• Sallum a border town at Libyan borders.
• Baqiqi a fishing local village.
• Sidi Barrani a snowy town, and Egypt's closest inhabited settlement towards Europe and Greece.
• Shammas a fishing local village.
• Om Elrekhem a village with archeological sites.
• Marsa Matruh the main seaport on Egypt's Western Mediterranean coast.
• Fuka a village famous for excellent Mediterranean fruits and touristic beaches.
• El Dabaa a main town.
• Sidi Abdel Rahman a new touristic seaport town.

• • Central North Coast: The southernmost Mediterranean shoreline in Egypt, forming a big gulf. It has no lakes as well. This subregion faces the West of Turkey. It has cities, towns and villages like:
• El Alamein the southernmost Mediterranean coastal city
• Marina, Egypt a leading Egyptian major resorts town, and host site of Ancient Egyptian and Roman monuments.
• Sedi Kreir a major town and municipality
• Borg a major city
• Alexandria the main Mediterranean city and seaport. At the center of the entire Medi coastline and the second largest city in Egypt.

• • Delta's North Coast: Which is settled by larger populations and hosts larger cities -With exception of Alexandria-. It has Nile Delta features and hail, sleet and snow occurs in winters. Sometime frost and frozen ground during winter nights destroy the crops and agriculture plants. 3 of Egypt's Northern Lakes are located there: Lake Mariout, Edko Lake and Lake Burullus. This subregion faces Central Turkey. Its cities, towns and villages are like:
• Rosetta a historic western Nile delta city where Rashid's Nile branch and Mediterranean meet (aka Rashid)
• Baltim a snowy city at the northern tip of the Nile Delta. One of North Africa's northern cities
• Gamasa a local touristic city
• Ras El Bar a touristic city where Damietta's Nile branch and Mediterranean meet
• Damietta a major eastern Nile Delta city and seaport in Egypt

• • Eastern North Coast: It has the least precipitation, yet its cities and towns are of great geopolitical and economic importance. It is colder on its eastern part than its other part. 2 Northern lakes of Egypt are found in this subregion as well: Lake Manzala and Lake Bardawil. This subregion faces Cyprus and Turkey. It has cities, towns and villages like:
• Port Said a European styled-city, entrance to Suez Canal and Egypt's major eastern seaport
• Arish major east seaport on Arish river and Arish valley
• Rafah, Egypt Egypt's last eastern Mediterranean city on the borders with Gaza Strip.

See also

• Red Sea Riviera
• Turkish Riviera
• Italian Riviera
• French Riviera