The Red Sea Governorate is the largest one in Egypt. It covers about 130,000 km² that is 1/8 of the entire surface of Egypt. It is also one of the richest Egyptian areas. Almost ¾ of the entire oil and nature gas production comes from this area. The province is also rich in gold, iron, phosphate, granite and semi-precious stones. The coast begins north from Zafarana up to the Sudan border in the south with a length of 1080 km. This represents 1/3 of the entire Egyptian coast. In the west the red sea mountain chain is located, which separates the governorate from the Nile valley governorates.

The tourism is the most important employer in the Red Sea Governorate. In the year 2005 spent in this area 2.7 million visitors approximately 19 million nights. The income of the hotels were 2 billion € alone in the same period.

Where does the name Red Sea come from?
There are several different speculations according this name.

1. The different blue tones of the water depend on the various depths of the Red Sea. However, micro plants which appear reddish, move to the water surface in need of the warmth of the sunrays and these let the water appear reddish as well.
2. Another assumption says that the sea has been given the name Red Sea, because of some kinds of corals with different red tones.
3. A further acceptable explanation is the close mountain chain which has a high portion of ferric oxides causing the reddish coloring, which is reflected on the water at sunset and these colors are shown up at the water surface.