The Red Sea Facts
Moses purportedly split a large sea here to release the Hebrew slaves. The Red Sea Coast draws hundreds of visitors thanks to its stunning blue seas and coral reefs.
It is Egypt’s most developed region, having the most hotels and resorts.
Why is it called the Red sea?
Historians differ on the reasons for naming the Red Sea by this name, but many historical and scientific explanations clearly explain this name.
Natural features of the Red Sea
The natural features of the Red Sea are one of the most essential and well-known reasons behind naming this sea by that name, as the ocean contains many algae and phytoplankton whose color tends to be red.
It is one of the most famous types of algae present in the waters of this region and covers a large area of water as well.
These species are found at the bottom of the sea and float on the surface, and these algae are considered one of the most apparent reasons for the name, as they give the sea a stunning red color that appears most beautifully, especially at sunset.
mountain ranges surrounding the Red Sea
Some observers suggest that this name call the Red Sea to the large number of mountains around the sea, whose color is red. Most of these mountains are located on the western side of the sea,
The ancient Egyptian desert was called the Red Desert due to its distinctive red color.
The name is given to tribes that lived near the Red Sea
There are some hypotheses that the name is due to the presence of some Yemeni tribes that lived near the sea, and these tribes were called the donkey tribes, and some historians claim that these tribes are the ones who gave this name to the Red Sea.
Historical indications of naming the Red Sea by this name
In the past, people used to infer directions by using colors, and some colors had particular indications for the four main directions, and the black color indicated the north.
Therefore, this is a reason for naming the Black Sea by this name, and the red color indicates the south; thus, this Red Sea was named label.
In the past, the Red Sea was called the Red King Sea, and some people think the current name is an abbreviation of the old name.
Where is the Red Sea
The Weather in the Red Sea
The climate of the Red Sea is affected by two types of monsoons that occur due to the difference in heating between the earth’s surface and seawater.
They are: the northeast monsoon and the southwest monsoon, and the average water temperature of the sea, in general, is estimated at 22 degrees Celsius, and the surface water temperatures vary between the north and south of the sea; In the summer, the average surface water temperature in the northern reaches 26 degrees Celsius, and 30 degrees Celsius in the south. In the winter, the difference in surface temperature does not exceed 2 degrees Celsius. As for precipitation on the sea, it is often in the form of showers accompanied by thunderstorms and sometimes dust, which do not last for long periods, and the average precipitation is estimated at 0.06 m per year, which is considered a meager percentage, causing a high rate of evaporation that may reach 205 cm per year. The salinity of its water increased to a rate between 3.6-3.8%, coinciding with the absence of a new source feeding the seawater.
Interesting facts about the Red Sea
- The Egyptians call the Red Sea the “Green Space.”
- Among all the seas, the Red Sea is the saltiest. The Dead Sea does not count – it is still considered a lake (see exciting facts about the Dead Sea ).
- Not a single river flows into the Red Sea. That is why its waters are so transparent.
- Of all the seas, the Red is the warmest. It is even warmer than the Sea of Azov (see exciting facts about the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov ).
- Every day, an amount of water equivalent to about 5 mm of its level evaporates from the surface of the Red Sea. The sea, however, does not grow shallow – a powerful stream brings new water from the Indian Ocean.
- The shores of the Red Sea are moving away from each other due to the movement of tectonic plates at a speed of about one centimeter per year.
- The waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden do not mix at the point of their meeting due to their different densities.
- After the Suez Canal was dug, representatives of flora and fauna of the Mediterranean and Red Seas began to mix.
- Even in winter, the temperature of the near-surface water layer in the north of the Red Sea usually does not fall below +20 degrees.
- In Israel, the Red Sea is called “Kamyshov” or “Reed” (the Hebrew word for this sea allows both interpretations).
In the past, the red sea coast, 1250km from Suez to the Sudanese border, was a microcosm. Muslims from Central Asia sailed to Arabia from its ports.
Smuggling enticed adventurers and explorers even after the Suez Canal had drained the energy of the Red Sea ports. After the discovery of oil, the coastline became vital and vulnerable to Israeli commando incursions.
Tourism didn’t come until the 1980s, fueled by the region’s low-cost resorts and world-class diving spots.
The turquoise waters of the Red Sea lap rocky headlands and windswept beaches, while the Eastern Desert’s dry highlands and mountains separate the Nile Valley from the shore.
In the south, Port Safaga, El-Quseir and Marsa Alam are less visited and have more natural appeal. The island has wadis, ancient rock art, and nomad tribes, making it ideal for desert adventurers.
The Red Sea shoreline might be challenging for independent tourists sick of package tourism, but it is worth a visit. Of course, diving is world-class in any of the Red Sea’s coastline vacation cities.
Red Sea diving:
With a millennia-old history, it’s no surprise that relatively few visitors in Egypt consider diving.
The Red Sea is surrounded by one of nature’s most spectacular views, while landlubbers are busy sweating it out and avoiding touts in the desert.
The northern part of this 1800km long body of water was named one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World in 1989.
In this ethereal blue world, divers will encounter coral mountains, shallow reefs teeming with colourful fish, steep drop-offs into unplumbed depths, and coral-encrusted shipwrecks.
The Red Sea has a legendary reputation among divers and is unquestionably one of the world’s top underwater attractions.
These include Ras Mohammed National Park, which has the ‘Holy Trinity’ of Shark Reef, Eel Garden, and Yolanda, and Jacques Cousteau’s 1950s discovery of the WWII wreck of the Thistlegorm, a British cruiser.
The most appealing about the Red Sea is the ability to customize your diving vacation.
Independent vacationers overstay in Dahab and Nuweiba while package tourists enjoy the luxuries of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.
A week on a diving safari is the best way to optimize your underwater time.
Safe Diving Tips:
Remember to practice ordinary prudence while diving in the Red Sea. Most diving deaths are caused by divers ignoring (or disregarding) fundamental guidelines.
In Dahab, where most accidents occur, alcohol and narcotics frequently play a crucial part in these terrible and needless fatalities.
Numerous victims were experienced divers who should have known better than to exceed safety restrictions or dive while intoxicated. Others were inexperienced divers in dangerous conditions.
Next time you whine about a test dive, remember that diving clubs are being careful.
Here are some simple safety recommendations for scuba diving:
No booze, no dive. Alcohol dehydrates, particularly in Egypt’s arid environment, and raises the risk of decompression sickness.
Make sure you’re fit and comfortable diving. Inform your doctor if you are on prescription medicines that you want to dive.
Diving may sometimes impair metabolism, requiring a dose modification.
Dive within your capabilities. Dive too deep in the Red Sea’s beautiful waters and excellent visibility. Sports divers can only dive to 30m. Hold on. After diving, do not fly.
Don’t plan a day excursion to St Katherine’s Monastery or the Eastern Desert Mountains following a dive.
Identify your boat from the water. Some diving spots grow congested, and boats might look the same. Divers have been left behind after their boats went without them.
Be mindful that daily and seasonal weather and currency fluctuations may substantially affect any location and diving conditions.
These variances affect not just which places you may dive on any given day but also how you should dress and dive.
Insure yourself. If you get hurt, decompression chamber therapy might cost thousands. Most respectable clubs need insurance before diving. The better clubs might give insurance if you didn’t intend to dive before coming to Egypt.
Red Sea attractions
With so many diving locations and operators to select from, first-time Red Sea divers may feel overwhelmed. Our advice:
Nuweiba:
Nuweiba It attracts independent visitors seeking a quieter atmosphere and less crowded, yet the diving here is less diverse than in the Sinai and the Red Sea.
Dahab:
Great diving spots border this Thai-style hamlet and has affordable guesthouses and chilled-out beach bars. It’s also a great place to start diving at Ras Mohammad National Park.
A base at Sharm el-Sheikh or Naama Bay is the easiest way to reach Ras Mohammed. In recent years, Sharm has become a high-end destination for European package tourists seeking Western-style resorts
with four- and five-star facilities.
Horrible overdevelopment and inadequate environmental management have devastated Egypt’s first vacation town. Serious divers increasingly base themselves elsewhere, despite the inexpensive package options.
Marsa Alam:
This up-and-coming resort town is known for its south-coast diving options. If you like distant outpost ambiance and desert activities, this is the resort for you.
Liveboards True divers know that liveboards are the only way for off-the-beaten-path diving. Liveboards are the only way to dive the southern Red Sea (for skilled divers only).
The Red Sea is a must-see every trip to Egypt, regardless of your travel style.
