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| No country on earth boasts a longer recorded history than does Egypt, the Eternal 'Gift of the Nile' as described by the Historian Herodotus.
A statement is as true as today, as it has been through seventy centuries of Egypt's unique history.
For long years, Egypt has remained traditionally the hub of tourists interested in the history and the valuable heritage of ancient Egyptian monuments spread all over the country.
Egypt enjoys a unique geographical location, at the juncture of Africa, Asia and Europe, and a favorable climate. It possesses a huge cultural heritage manifest in the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic monuments. It has clear skies and bright sunshine all the year round.
Recently, Egypt has embarked into comprehensive and diversified tourism, whereby a wide range of tourist's services are available.
A wide variety of tourist products and services have been introduced, in order to attract more tourists to the country such as water sports and the opening of new beaches in resorts offering a wide variety of facilities to tourists.
Tourism in Egypt is a mainstay and an essential pillar of economic activity, with tourist revenue representing about 25% of Egypt's total foreign currency income. With its outstanding tourist assets, Egypt has gained a unique competitive edge on world tourist map.
The tourism industry has witnessed huge leaps, since Egypt embarked into comprehensive tourism industry through diversified tourist products.
The tourism industry represents one of the most important features of the national economy formula. It has become the locomotive of the economic development process, since it secures 18% of the national income in foreign currency.
Indicators show that tourism industry has developed since the 1980's, particularly with the start of the successive five –year plans of the economic and social development which have been implemented incessantly. These plans aimed at setting up a huge and solid infrastructure, extended to the remote parts of the desert, the Red Sea coasts as well as Sinai, ending the remoteness of such areas from the valley.
Furthermore, such are as turned into developmental economic centers and mainly in the tourism field. Moreover, investment and utilization of capitals flocked to these areas for establishing wonderful Yacht marina resorts, hotel facilities and high standard tourist locations.
All these factors led to a complete change in the Egyptian touristic product so as to embrace broader categories of world tourists. Now we can find several kinds of tourism of different tastes such as: monuments, marinas, recreation, religious purposes and desert safaris. Tourism in Egypt also satisfies different ambitions of tourists and which are widely needed nowadays such as Therapeutic, Conferences, exhibitions, environment and sports. This is besides the recreational and cultural activity that enriches the touristic product.
Since the 1990's,a new developmental policy was adopted by the issuance of Law no 7 for the year 1991 and the republican decree no 425 for the year 1992 and the setting up of the general organization for tourism development for the fulfillment of the planned and integrated development through the outstanding world and national expertise.
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Investments in tourism domain
-Investment utilization in the tourism sector for the 2005/2006 years is estimated at L.E1974.6millions.
-Numbers of tourists for the year 2005/2006 reached 87 millions of tourists .Touristic nights are estimated at 85.7million in 2005/2006.
-Touristic revenues in 2005 /2006 amounted to $6429 millions.
Hotels and Restaurants Sector
-Investments of this sector rose to LE 2,599 billion.The private and cooperative sector's contribution in this capital was LE 2 billion.
-Production of this sector reached Le 18593, 9 million for the year 2005/2006 periods.
-Employment in this sector embraced about 120.000 job opportunities for youth in 2005/2006. |
Cultural Tourism
Cultural and archeological tourism are considered the traditional kind of tourism in Egypt. Egypt embraces several Pharaonic Greek and Roman historic antiquities and museums. Cultural tourism has started since the discovery of ancient Egyptian antiquities and the decipher of the hieroglyhics.
Ever since, missions of archeology, explorers and authors of tourist books were very keen on visiting Egypt and documenting its astonishing past and promising future.
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The Pharaonic, Roman and Greek sites in Egypt
1- Cairo, Giza: Pyramid plateau, Sakara, Memphis, Dahshour, Egyptian museum, Citadel of Saladin, Coptic area.
2- Alexandria: Aamoud El Sawari or the Bombay pillars, the Roman amphitheatre, the Roman Baths, The Black Head temple, Tombs of Cata Combs of Qum Saqofa.
3- UpperEgypt:
A. Luxor City, karanak temple, Luxor temple, Happi temple, Valley of kings, Valley of Queens, Dir El medina, mummification Museum at Luxor, Colossus of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple.
B. Aswan City: Abu Simbel, Museum of Aswan, Philiae temple, unfinished obelisk, high dam of Aswan, Kitshner Island of Plants (EL Nabatat Island ).
C. Biliana City: Abydous
D. Qina City: Nadra Museum
E. Menya City: El Amarma hill
F. Beni Suef City: Archaeological Modern area.Al- Ashmounin City, Tunna el-Gabl .
4- Sinai: Al-Maghara paintings, Sarabit el khadem, Moses Mountain, Serbal Mountain, colored & white canyons, The Blue Hole.
5- Fayoum City: Al-Lahoun Pyramid, Hawara Pyramid, Senosirt Obelisks & Madi city.
6- The Oasis:
A. El-kharagaoasis: Hipis temple, Elbagwat tomb, El Queta temple, El Riyan Palace, El Riyan temple, Palace el Dine.
B. El-DakhlaOasis:Mot, Bashandi tomb, Islamaic & Pharaonic Ballat Village, Deir El Haggar, Islamic Palace Village.
C. Siwa Oasis: Juibter Amun temple El-Gazina temple, the Dead Mountain, Tanoboaat (Prophecies) Oracle temple, Cleopatra Pool, Hot & cold springs, roman olive oil press, old fortress of Shali.
D. El Bahariya Oasis: It contains 268 sulpher& minerals springs.
E. ParisOasis:Doushtemple,ElFarafaraOasis,Itcontains ElFarafara Palace,Abou Manakara Palace.
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Coptic Monuments
1- Churches: HagingChurch, VirginMary, AbouSeirgaChurch, Mar GirgrisChurch, St Mena, Church of Saint Barbara, Cathedral of Abbasiya.
2- Monastaries: Monastery of St Antonius, Natroun Valley in western Desert, AnbaPaula, El Anba Adra, St katerine Monastery of el Abyad, Moharrah Monastery, Monastery of Marmarina El Agayabi. |
Islamic Monuments
1- Mosques: Mosque of Amr Ibn El-Aas, El-Hussein Mosque, Sayyida Zeinab Mosque, Al Shafai Mosque, Al-Azhar Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque , Ahmed Ibn Toulun Mosque, el Hakem Biamr Allah, Mohammad Ali Mosque, El Rifai, El Nour mosque, El Mahamal Road Sinai.
2- Islamic Fortresses: Salah El Din Citadel, kaitby Citadel, El Akaba Citadel, El Goundi, El Tore, el Arish, Nueiba in Sinai.
3- Museums: Egyptian Museum, Islamic Art, El-Gawhara Palace, Greek Palace, ElManial Palace, Mahmoud Mokhtar, Mohammed Mahmoud khalil, Egyptian Coptic Art, Mahmoud Saied in Alexandria, Maritime in Alexandria, Aswan Museum in Aswan, Agriculture Museum.
Military at El Alameen, Mersa Matrouh, Nagi, Railways, Mansoura Museum located at Luqman, Donshwai Musuem posts, El Shama (waxen) museum. Also the Mummification Museum at the Pharoanic Village. |
Recreational tourism
Egypt has a wide range of beaches situated on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea that extend to over 3,000 km. The Red sea has serene waters, colored coral reefs, rare fish and beautiful mountain.
The Aqqaba Gulf beaches also provide facilities for practicing sea sports .
Safaga tops the Red Sea zone with its beautiful location on the red sea side.
Last but not least, Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Dahab, Ras Sudr, Marsa Alam, Safaga and the northern coast of the Mediterranean are major tourist's destinations of the recreational tourism. |
Religious Tourism
Islamic monuments
Mosques:Mosque of Amr Ibn El-Aas, El-Hussein Mosque, Sayyida Zeinab Mosque, Al Shafai mosque, Al-Azhar Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, Ahmed Ibn Toulun Mosque,el HakemBiamr Allah, Mohammad Ali Mosque,El Rifai,El Nour mosque,El Mahamal Road SinaiIslamic,Fortresses:Salah El Din Citadel, katabi Citadel,El Akaba Citadel,El Goundi,El Tore,el Arish,Nubaia in Sinai
The Holy Family in Egypt
The advent of the Holy Family to Egypt, seeking refuge, is an event of the utmost significance in our dear country's long, long history.
Moved by the spirit of prophecy, Hosea foresaw the flight from Bethlehem where there was no safe place forth Christ Child to lay his head, and the eventual return of the holy refugees from Their sanctuary in Egypt, where Jesus had found a place in the hearts of the Gentiles, when he uttered God's words: "Out of Egypt have I called My SOH ". (Hosea 11: 1) In the Biblical Book of Isaiah, the prophet provides us with a divinely inspired prediction of the effect the holy infant was to have on Egypt and the Egyptians: "Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt will totter at His Presence, and the heart of Egypt will melt in the midst of it". (Isaiah 19: 1)
The authority of Old Testament prophecy, which portended the crumbling of idols wherever Jesus went, further foreshadowed the singular blessing to be bestowed upon Egypt, for its having been chosen as the Holy Family's haven, and upon its people for having been the first to experience the Christ's miraculous influence.
God's message, also delivered through the prophetic utterance of Isaiah, ''Blessed be Egypt, My People,' (Isaiah 1 9: 25 ), was an anticipation of the coming of St. Mark to our country, where the Gospel he preached took firm root in the first decades of Christianity. For Isaiah goes on to prophecy: "in that day there Will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt; and a pillar to the Lord, at its border. And it will be for a .sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt". (Isaiah 19: 19 & 20).
According to the traditions of the Coptic Church, 'the altar' mentioned is that of the Church of Virgin Mary in Al-Muharraq Monastery, a site where the Holy Family settled for a period of more than six months; and the altar-stone was the ‘bed' upon
which the Infant Savior lay. Al Muharraq Monastery is located, literally, "in the midst of the land of Egypt"....standing at its exact geographical center. As for the "pillar at its borders.... which will be for a sign and for a witness..." surely there can be no more demonstrable, concrete proof of the fulfillment of the prophecy than that the Patriarchal See of the Apostolic Church in Egypt.
Coptic monuments
Churches: Hanging Church,Virgin Mary,Abou Seirga Church,Mar Girgris Church,St Mena,Church of Saint Barbara,Cathedral of Abbasiya,&at Alexandria
Monastaries: Monastery of St Antonius, Norton Valley in western Desert, Anba Paula, El Anba Adra,St katerine Monastery of el abyad, Moharrah Monastery, Monastery of Marmarina El Agayab
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Therapeutic Tourism
Egypt is considered one of the richest environments of therapeutic value by virtue of its natural resources and dry warm weather, Egypt is home to several unique sulphurous and mineral springs: in addition to the miraculously healing ability of the black sand found in the city of Safga.
Egypt is rich in its world class treatment resorts due to its genuine natural resources such as its, dry and warm climate, and lots of mineral and sulfuric streams, black curative sands.
Egypt has gained a valuable position on the tourist map; not only due to the fact that it contains a vast amount of historical monuments, but also because of the variety of options it presents to tourists.
Due to Egypt's magnificent resources it has become one of the world's most famous destination that offer natural medical treatment under the supervision of specialized doctors and their dedicated staff.
Helwan
The Helwan suburb is located about thirty kilometers away from Cairo, and to the east of the River Nile, Helwan is about forty meters above the sea level.
Helwan climate is dry and moderate, humidity percentage is about 58%there are several sulphurous and mineral springs, and a health center was founded there for the treatment of rheumatism and rheumatic pains.
Treatment in Helwan dated back to 1899, then the baths were renewed in 1955, Helwan Center for the treatment of rheumatism and physical treatment was built on the Islamic style of architecture, the center includes 38 rooms for the treatment, rest rooms and places for patients to reside .
The whole place is surrounded by fantastic gardens.
Baharia Oasis
Baharia oasis contains about four hundred warm and cold springs.
Scientific research conducted at the Egyptian and foreign universities as well proved that the water from the Baharia Oasis is useful in the treatment of rheumatism, rheumatoid and various skin diseases.
Baharia Oasis is famous among European tourists; they come especially to have their treatment in the springs of well Halfa and its warm water.(30 degrees Celsius, which sometimes rises to 40degrees Celsius)
Beshmo is one of the famous archeological sites at the Baharia oasis due to the fact that it contains two water sources, one of which is hot and the other is cold both run down the same deep stony stream.
Siwa
Siwa is considered as being the most wonderful Oasis in the western desert. It is considered as the Oasis of beauty, poetry and the paradise of artists. Sand dunes and palm and olive trees are scattered in the Oasis in addition to a number of clear wells and springs.
Siwa Oasis is located about 300 kilometers to the west of Mersa Matrouh. It is the best place for environmental treatment in Egypt. Siwa is famous for its moderate climate, pure air and blue clear sky.
El Dakrrour Mountain
It is located to the south west of Siwa Oasis. The people of Siwa believe that the mountain is sacred.
There is a celebration that is held on a yearly basis in October after the Harvest Season (The Valley Season).
The festival lasts for three days, all the inhabitants of the valley must participate in the festival.
The mountain area is most famous for its treatment facilities that aid in curing rheumatism, joint pain and weakness.
It is most famous for a treatment that involves the burial of the diseased body parts in hot sand for a certain period of time during the day. This particular treatment procedure gained a lot of popularity among Arabs and recently foreigners.
Hot Springs
Siwa Oasis has got many springs which are being used for therapeutic treatment purposes. The water of the hot springs is capable of curing a number of diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatism and some digestive system diseases.
The most famous springs is the Kegar well, the temperature of its water is 67 degree Celisus .
Scientific research proved that the water contains amounts of minerals similar to that found in the water of the springs of Carlo Vefari ( Czech ) the famous Health Center where tourists visit to have their treatment .
The New Valley
The New Valley Governorate is one of the biggest governorates in Egypt. Its area is about 37.6% of the whole area of Egypt.
The Egyptian history is engraved in the New Valley .There are many monuments from the Ancient Egyptian civilization, Ptolemy era, the Roman era, the Coptic period and the Islamic period.
People who live on the New Valley are very keen on maintaining their old traditions and customs. They are skilled at different domestic industries and handcrafts.
The New Valley climate is dry, moderate and the sun is always shinning and the area is free from air pollution.
The sandy area includes some of the rarest kinds of plants that are used as medicinal ingredients.
There are also springs and natural water wells; their temperature is about 34 degree Celsius containing some useful minerals.
El Kharga
The Beaulac wells
The Beaulac wells are located at about 1000 meters beneath the ground surface, with temperature about 28 degrees Celsius.
The Beaulac wells are located at about 1000 meters beneath the ground surface, with temperature about 28 degrees Celsius.
Scientific research proved that the water contains many useful minerals of great medical importance. Sand dunes scattered in the desert with soft sand can be used in the treatment of some diseases such as rheumatism, rheumatoid, joints pains, some sorts of inner bone inflammations; by using the method of burying the diseased parts in the sand for specific period of time.
Nasser Wells
The Nasser wells are comprised of three wells emerging from three different depths; their waters are collected in a swimming pool. The temperature of water is 28 degrees Celsius all the year round.
The swimming pool is used for the treatment of rheumatism, joint pains, skin inflammation diseases, kidney stones, renal calic and some digestive complications.
The wells are surrounded by a vast amount of beautiful gardens. A huge tent and a restaurant were set up to cater to the various tourists needs.
El Dakhla Oasis
Mut 3 wells
Mut is the capital of the oasis. The wells are about 3 kilometers away from the town. The wells are of self flow from a depth of 1224 meters under the ground surface.
The water temperature is 43 degrees Celsius.
Scientific research proved that the water contains many dissolved minerals useful in the treatment of some diseases such as rheumatism, psoriasis and joint pains.
In conjunction with the wells two swimming pools and a restaurant were built in order to cater to the needs of both adults and children. The area is also accessible by car.
Ein El Gabel well
Ein El Gabel well is situated about 52 kilometers away from the town of Mut. The well has been recently discovered. There are no treatment facilities there yet, The water temperature is 54 degrees Celisus.
El Farafra
Well 6
The well is situated about six kilometers to the west of Al-Farafra. The water temperature is about 24 degrees Celisus all the year round.
A tourist village has been set up in the area. The village offers a variety of facilities including a swimming pool and a restaurant.
The area is surrounded by white sand desert; tourists from all over the world are keen to visit the area. Farafra oasis is connected to the other oases by the main road.
Herbal medicine
The New Valley oasis contains a collection of plants and herbs that can be used in the treatment of diseases such as Catnip, dammsesa, Al Ashaar karkadeh.
These herbs are used in the treatment of rheumatism.
Catnip is mainly used to cure the digestive system diseases particularly stomach aches.
The Egleeg herb (sugar palm) is used in the treatment of diabetes patients. Handal is bitter in taste but it greatly aids in the relief of joint pains.
This is achieved by heating the fruit and cutting it into two halves and placing it on the source of pain.
Elephantine Island
Sand from Elephantine Island is used for the burial treatment which involves burying the diseased body parts in the sand for a period of time to help in curing rheumatism and other related diseased. The treatment period starts from March till October every year.
The environmental treatment center in Oberoi Hotel offers a variety of services. The Hotel employs a group of specialists that offer a variety of treatments and facilities such as Saunas and Turkish baths.
Isis Island Resort
Tourists come to Aswan islands to be treated from Rheumatoid for about three weeks; the results were successful despite the primitive way of treatment.
The Egyptian National Research Center made many scientific analysis and research with astonishing results that the black sand contained many minerals and some radioactive materials which have a great effect in treating rheumatoid.
The therapeutic method used to treat rheumatoid consists of sand and water. It is particularly successful due to the salt in sea water and the ultraviolet rays besides the usage of natural black sand.
Abu Simbel
The area is famous for the density of ultraviolet rays in its climate and the low humidity levels which make it possible for the treatment of chronic rheumatic pains, respiratory inflammation and several other diseases.
Natural and environmental therapy
Aswan is one of the most wonderful winter resort in the world. The climate is moderate and dry suitable for the treatment method of burying the diseased parts in hot sand for a period of time.
There are two treatment centers that use the method of burying the diseased parts of the body as a primary method of treatment.
The body is buried into a mixture of sand and water to cure rheumatic pains. Some international health centers showed interest in studying the climate of Aswan.
The scientific studies proved that Aswan has got a high density of ultraviolet rays and a remarkable humidity proportion that help in curing different diseases.
Herbal Treatment
Nubians still believe in herbal medicine. Scientific studies proved the great effect of herbs in curing different diseases.
Some of these herbs were mentioned in Dawood el Antaky's prescription (medical journal), the medical materials book by Ahmed Ibn Rasheed and the Law in medicine by Ibn Sina.
Some of the herbs are still used in Nubia such as: Halfa Burr: Is used to treat common cold and renal calic.
Dammsesa: Used in curing kidney ailments.
Hargal: Used for treating digestion troubles.
The Nubian environmental treatment (therapy)
Nubians used the method of burying the diseased parts in hot sand to enhance the blood circulation facilitating a speed recovery of joints pains.
The treatment includes a variety of celebration songs and dances by the relatives of the patients to relieve their pains and entertain them.
The patients then are wrapped in cloth to protect them from catching cold and hot drinks are served. Old people who are responsible for the treatment are experts in their field, they also use (Domera) which is similar to the new treatment known as pleoma to treat headache, tooth pain and muscles fraction.
Scientific research has concluded that the success behind the treatments due to the hot sand that effects the nerve ends and the blood circulation.
This treatment is similar to the newly invented therapy known as pilotherapy which depends on the hot mud or the hot sand with some radioactive materials in safe amounts to be absorbed through the skin because of its anti-inflammatory nature.
The Domera is similar to the method known as pleoma which is used in international health centers by mixing the mud with natural and mineral water depending on the property of humid heat.
The scientific research proved that the surface sand in Abu Simble contains useful radio – active elements that can help in curing some diseases.
Scientific research centers proved the density of ultraviolet ray that helps in curing some chronic rheumatic pains.
Abu Simbel International Hospital
It is an international specialized hospital equipped with the latest and modern equipment in different branches of medicine. The hospital presents services to a vast area from Abu Simble to the newly established Toushki area.
The Red Sea
Hurghada
Hurghada is the capital city of the Red Sea Governorate, it is situated 295 kilometers to the south of Suez. It has a moderate climate in winter and summer. The sea water is clear, the coral reefs and its marine life make it a center of attraction to fans of diving and marine sport.
Hurghada combines between using the sea water and the mud extracted from the coral reefs treatment. The sun is always shinning and the sand is full of useful minerals besides the mud from the mines.
There is a variety of hotels and tourist resorts.
Safaga
Safaga is the best place in the world for the treatment and therapy of psoriasis; it is surrounded by high mountains working as a natural fence against wind and sand storms.
The climate is moderate and the concentration of the sun rays and the ultraviolet rays help in the treatment and therapy of psoriasis.
The sea water is 35%saline, anyone swimming in the area will find himself floating easily on water surface. The gravity is low which helps in treating some diseases such as the vesicular deficiency and a high flow of the blood to the limbs.
Black Sand
Scientific research results proved that40% of the sand in Safaga contains three radioactive minerals: Uranium, Thorium and Potassium which aid in the treatment of psoriasis, joint pains, and skin inflammation.
The humidity is low and the ultraviolet rays help in curing different diseases.
Why Safaga?
The dry, moderate climate and the sun shinning all the year round make Safaga the best place in the world for the complete therapy of some incurable diseases.
• Patients with history of heart, kidney and liver diseases are advised never to go places which are under the sea level for harmful effects on their health.
• Safaga climate is suitable for these patients and causing no harm to their health.
A Tourist Village is located in a fantastic place. The climate is dry; moderate which make the Village suitable place for therapy and entertainment.
A branch of the Thermal Health Center in Carlo Vefari in Czechoslovakia (one of the most famous health centers in the world) a health center was opened inside the Village in 1999.
The area of the center is 800 square meters and is surrounded by green land.
The center includes medical clinics, a Jacuzzi, sauna and rooms for electro therapy. There are massage rooms and a fully equipped gymnasium.
The center is run by a group of specialists in all medical branches.
The health centre offers a variety of therapy options such as electro therapy, mineral water therapy, wax therapy, paraffin therapy and natural treatment by inhaling pure oxygen.
Sinai
The Sinai Peninsula is situated to the north of the great crack. It is the geophysical crack between Asia and Africa. Taking the shape of an inverted triangle based on two angles on Suez bay and el-Aqqaba bay, based on Rafaah, Port Said is in the north and Ras Mohammed in the south.
Sinai is the land of civilizations, the land of religions, the eastern gate to Egypt through which passed Prophets, saints, travelers and invaders.
Sinai is a unique place combining all kinds of tourism: religious, cultural, history, sports, treatment and entertainment.
Sinai offers its visitor a variety of options to enjoy Egypt's tourism diversity.
There are many natural wells and hot springs such as the Pharaoh Bath and Moses Bath.
These baths have great effect in the treatment of some incurable diseases, besides the dry, moderate climate of the area.
Southern Sinai
Sharm El Sheikh
It is about 336 kilometers from Suez and 53 kilometers away from Ras Mohammad and is situated on the Aqqaba bay. It is a summer resort as well as being a winter resort.
The Pharoah bath
The Pharaoh bath is located on the Suez bay about 250 kilometers away from Cairo.
It consists of a group of natural hot springs; the water temperature is 27 degrees Celsius, the water flows directly from the mountain forming a natural lake with 100 meters length along the sea shore.
The mountain above contains a stone tunnel used a natural hot sauna because of the hot water springs from inside the mountain. Scientific research proved the importance of the water in treating some diseases such as rheumatism and rheumatoid, kidney diseases, lung inflammation, skin diseases.
The climate is moderate and dry, there are vast areas of hot sand which can be used for the treatment of different diseases.
There is a health resort being constructed in the area .It is the first of its kind in Egypt and the Middle East for environmental and natural treatment.
The resort is in Ras Mallab area on the Suez bay about 70 kilometers away from Abu Redees airport. The location is centered among Ancient Egyptian monuments.
Moses bath
A wonderful oasis covered in palm trees around a natural hot spring, its water has ability of healing wounds especially of diabetic patients, it affects the body weakness and regulates the high blood presure. Moses bath is 100 kilometers away from Sharm el Sheikh.
Moses bath resort:
The Moses resort contains a specialized hospital (under construction) and a rest house for the employees at South Sinai Governorate.
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