Gebel Elba

Gebel Elba [http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9] or "'Elba Mountain" is a mountain area in the Hala'ib Triangle area, which is disputed by Egypt and Sudan.

Due its closeness [http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9] to the sea (between 15 and 30 km west of the Red Sea coast, and itsinterception of moisture-laden north-east winds, Gebel Elba enjoys a higher precipitation than other Red Sea Mountains. The summit is a “mist oasis” where much of the precipitation is contributed in the form of dew, mist and clouds, creating a unique and rare ecosystem not found anywhere else in the country. Indeed, Gebel Elba is a “biodiversityhotspot”, with a biological diversity unparalleled in any other terrestrial environment in Egypt. The relative abundance of moisture supports a diverse flora of some 458 plant species– almost 25% of plant species recorded for the entire country. Many Afrotropical elements have their northern limits at Gebel Elba, and the dense cover of acacias and other scrubs represents the only natural woodland in Egypt.

The Gebel Elba National Park, declared by Egypt in 1986, includes most of the disputed Hala'ib Triangle (except its westernmost corner), and an area of comparable size just north of it.