Special Sub-Topic: The Sinai Peninsula Click Here To Play: The Sinai Peninsula

In ancient times the Egyptians mined which mineral in the Sinai?

turquoise. Turquoise was mined in the Sinai going back to at least 3000 BC, but the mines are depleted and no longer profitable.

The Sinai became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1516-1517 after the decisive battles of Marj Dabiq and al-Raydaniyya. Which Ottoman Sultan successfully led his troops in these battles?

Selim I. Selim I only ruled from 1512 to 1520, but he was responsible for annexing most of the Middle East into the Ottoman Empire.

The Sinai is bordered by a number of bodies of water. Which of the following is *not* one of these bodies of water bordering the Sinai?

Persian Gulf. The Gulf of Suez is on the west, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, and the Mediterranean on the north. The Persian Gulf is located to the east of Saudi Arabia.

In what year did Egypt regain control of the Sinai from the Ottoman Empire?

1906. In 1906 the Turkish government yielded to pressure from Britain and handed the Sinai over to (British-controlled) Egypt. Britain drew the eastern boundary of the Sinai, a boundary which has existed to this day. 1829 is the year of independence of Greece from the Ottoman Empire, 1878 independence of Romania, and 1922 is the final dissolution of the Empire.

What is the largest city in the Sinai?

Sharm El-Sheikh. Sharm El-Sheikh is located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. It is known as "The City of Peace" due to the large number of peace conferences which have been held there over the years. Scuba diving is a big tourist attraction for Sharm El-Sheikh.

After which conflict did Israel take control of the Sinai, including capturing the East bank of the Suez Canal, resulting in the canal's closure for eight years?

1967 Six-Day War. As a result of the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel acquired not only the Sinai, but also the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. When the Suez Canal was closed as a result of the Six-Day War, fourteen ships were trapped in the canal, and remained there until the canal reopened in 1975. In May of 1975 the German ships Münsterland and Nordwin were finally able to leave the canal and return home, completing a voyage to Australia which had lasted eight years, three months and five days! While Israel did briefly occupy parts of the Sinai following the 1956 Suez Canal Crisis, they withdrew the following year, giving way to United Nations peacekeeping forces.

The Gebel Musa is located in Southern Sinai. What is the Gebel Musa?

a mountain. The Gebel Musa, or "Mountain of Moses", is believed to be the spot where God spoke to Moses in the form of the burning bush.

A monastery believed to be the oldest in the world is located in the Sinai. What is the name of this famous monastery?

St. Catherine. St. Catherine Monastery is located at the foot of Mt. Sinai, obviously a very holy place for Christians. Kykkos is in Cyprus, Putna in Romania, and Cave of the Apocalypse on the Greek island of Patmos.

In what year did Israel completely withdraw from the Sinai and cede control back to Egypt?

1982. The peace treaty between Israel and Egypt was signed in 1979, but the withdrawal was not completed until three years later.

Who are the native people who inhabit the Sinai?

Bedouins. The traditional lifestyle of the nomadic Bedouins has been disrupted by the influx of tourists, leading to a troublesome culture clash.