Nuweiba (also spelled: Nueiba;, ) is a coastal town in the eastern part of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba.

History

Historically, it is in the Asian part of Egypt, and the area was inhabited by two different ancient Bedouin tribes: the Tarabin to the north, and the Muzeina some 8 km to the south. After the Six-Day War when Israel occupied the area, a small town was established just 1.5 km south of Tarabeen under the Hebrew name of Neviot. After the departure of the Israelis, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak expanded the settlement. Nuweiba Port, some 7 km to the south, was established and developed, with several car ferries running every day to Aqaba in Jordan by the Arab Bridge Maritime company, and with a small town growing up around it. Nuweiba castle (or Newibah castle), built on top of the remains of a still older castle in 1893, has been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Geography

Nuweiba lies on a large flood plain measuring about 40 km2, sandwiched between the Sinai mountains and the Gulf of Aqaba, and is located some 150 km north of Sharm el Sheikh, 465 km southeast from Cairo and 70 km south of the Israel–Egypt border separating Taba and Eilat. Nuweiba Port was built in 1985 on the Gulf of Aqaba, and serves as a ferry port as well, facilitating between Jordan and Egypt.

Climate

Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as hot desert (BWh). Most precipitation falls in February.

Tourism

Between the town and the port are a strip of modern hotels, catering to beach holiday makers and divers. One km north of Nuweiba City, Tarabin village is well known for its Bedouin-style camps where cheap huts are available for rent. Further north, in the direction of Taba, are several other beaches with similar accommodation options.

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