Charm el-Cheikh (شرمالشيخ) is a town of Egypt and an important tourism and commercial port to the southern point of the desert of the the Sinai (48°27' NR - 22°34' E).

Since 1985, this city is a destination of very appreciated holiday (in particular, underwater plungers amateurs which finds there an infrastructure accessible and a sea whose transparency is appreciated).

Localization of the city in fact a strategic position with the crossing of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba, bitterly disputed during the conflicts between Israel and Egypt.

Geography

Site

Charm el-Cheikh is located between the Red Sea on the one hand and the mountains of the the Sinai on the other hand. This seaside resort extends on about fifteen kilometers, and comprises several sites:

  • Sharm el-Maya: in the South. Also qualified of Old Sharm (old Charm). Some restaurants, a public beach. Presence of Old Market, comprising some small restaurants. A port, supervised by the MFO, is located in this district.
  • Hadaba: in the north of Sharm el-Maya. It is the residential district of the city. Some splits, of the luxury hotels and the middle-class houses. A headlight dominates the point of Short-nap cloth Umm Sid.
  • Naama Bay : tourist district of the city. Presence of restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. The district is almost entirely reserved to the pedestrians.
  • Shark' S Bay: during the fast urbanization of the city, this place was the last with being occupied by the Bedouins.

Climate

The climate is dry, the temperatures often reaching 35°C the summer. The winter is fresher, with temperatures of 12-15°C. The autumn and spring are the best moments to go to Charm el-Cheikh.

History

Village of fishermen in the beginning, Charm el-Cheikh becomes a strategic base for the Egyptian navy.

Between 1956 and 1957 takes place the Guerre of Suez between Israel and Egypt. Israel occupies then evacuates the the Sinai. A force of international peace stations at Charm el-Cheikh of 1957 with 1967. But in June 1967, Nasser occupies the commune, blocks the strait of Tiran, and thus cuts the access of the Red Sea to the Israeli boats, which involves the intervention of Israel: it is the Guerre the Six Day old. Following the Egyptian defeat, Israel occupies the Sinai. The city is then renamed Mifratz Shlomo (i.e.: gulf of Solomon). In 1968, the Israelis build a colony called Hebrew Ophira (: אופירה) with Ras Umm Sid to install 500 families there, and makes of Naama Bay a tourist center.

The airport is open in 1976. In 1978, the reefs of Naama Bay are destroyed by a flood. In 1982 the commune is restored with the Egyptians, who encourage the urban development. September 4th, 1999 takes place the signature of the Mémorandum of Charm el-Cheikh between Israel and the Palestinian Autorité in the presence of Madeleine Albright, of the president Hosni Mubarak and the king de Jordanie Abdallah {{II}}. The January 3rd 2004 takes place the Air crash of the Vol Flash Airlines FSH 604 of the company Flash Airlines making 148 died while being damaged in the Red Sea. The city is victim of attacks on July 23rd, 2005. Old Market in Sharm el-Maya, the hotels Ghazala gardens and Moevenpick with Naama Bay are touched.

Economy

Charm el-Cheikh is an old port, but strict environmental laws appeared in the Années 1990 reduced commercial navigation. Until 1982, it had there only one military port located at Marsa Bareka. The civil port developed at the end of the Années 1980, when Sharm el-Maya became the civil main port.

The economic main activity of the city is the Tourisme, thanks to its beaches, and with a dry and pleasant climate. The sea is as clear as calm there. Moreover, the place is favorable to the practice of the Plongée underwater. Lastly, at a few kilometers in the south of the city the national park of Short-nap cloth Mohammed is located. Tourism is noticed by the presence of luxury hotels and semi-luxury, in particular in Naama Bay.

Transport

It is possible to move in Charm el-Cheikh or to go from this city towards other destinations thanks to several means of transport:

  • in the car: the roads of the the Sinai are tarred, and the Egyptians are careful at the wheel,
  • in the plane: via Egyptair or companies Charter, since the airport;
  • in the bus: connection from the coach station located at Peace Road. Journey time: 6:00 for Suez, 7:00 for Cairo, 1:30 for Dahab, 3:00 for the monastery Holy-Catherine, 10:00 for Hurghada;
  • in the shared taxi: minibus or Peugeot 504, station on Peace Road;
  • in boat: connections with Hurghada and Aqaba.

Internal bonds

External bonds

  • Plane detailed of Charm el-Cheikh.
  • Page on the city
  • Site on panoramic Charm el-Cheikh
  • 360° Photographs of Charm el-Cheikh

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