Red Sea Governorate

Lore & Background

The Red Sea Governorate is administratively bordered by the Suez Governorate to the north, the Red Sea to the east, and several Egyptian governorates to the west, including Aswan, Qena, Sohag, Asyut, Minya, and Beni Suef. To the south, it borders Sudan's Red Sea State. It contains the disputed territory of the Halaib Triangle, including the Siyal Islands, and the Red Sea Hills, a mountain chain in the Itbay region of Eastern Egypt and Sudan. The governorate is divided into multiple municipal divisions, some fully urban, some fully rural, and some a combination of both.

Reader's Guide

The Red Sea Governorate has seen large percentage increases in population in recent decades, with a population of 400,069 as of 2023 and an estimated 410,229 as of January 2024. Its coast is a major tourist destination; since the early 1980s, Hurghada has been popular for beach lovers and scuba divers, with tourism also growing in Al-Qusair, Safaga, and Marsa Alam. The governorate hosts two official nature reserves: Wadi al-Gamal National Park near Marsa Alam and Gebel Elba National Park in the disputed Halaib Triangle. Beyond tourism, there is a large offshore fishing industry, and the area is rich in minerals such as phosphates. The Ras Gharib region contains 70% of Egypt's oil production. According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones, several industrial zones are located in the governorate.

Did You Know?

• The Red Sea Governorate contains the disputed Halaib Triangle, including the Siyal Islands.
• The Gulf of Suez region accounts for a significant share of Egypt's oil production, though Ras Gharib alone does not produce 70% of the national total.
• The governorate has two official nature reserves: Wadi al-Gamal National Park and Gebel Elba National Park.
• Its capital and largest city is Hurghada, a popular tourist destination since the early 1980s.