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Ecotourism
Egypt in 2004, at the dawn of the new millennium, witnessed the Ministry of
Tourism's National Declaration of Ecotourism of the Southern Red Sea Region,
the first ever declaration of its kind and purpose in the Middle East and
Africa.
A growing number of tourists whose priorities are different from those of the
mainstream are coming to the Red Sea Region in their search for peace,
wilderness, unspoiled culture and a pristine natural environment.
About the Area
It consists of an enormous water catchment area that supplies water to the Red
Sea. The region has a 100 km coastline extending from Marsa Alam to Wadi Lahmy.
Wadi El-Gimal which lies within the region, is a diverse natural heritage area
that was formerly declared a Protected Area in January 2003. It is deemed
important because of its unique biological resources and marine ecosystems.
The mountains of the Red Sea may offer solitude to the present day ecotourism,
but in ancient times they were the source of substantial mineral wealth and a
vital part of the economy of the Ancient Egyptian Empire. Mines in the Eastern
Desert produced precious metals, gemstones and porphyry. The Wadi El-Gimal
Hamata Protectorate Area produced great quantities of emeralds, gold and
amyant. The mineral wealth of the region played a critical role in the
development of the ancient Egyptian civilization which is evidenced by the
numerous antiquities and shrines that still remain.
This zone is well known for its desert, mountains and valleys. In fact,
Egypt's highest diversity of terrestrial plants and animals occurs in the
Eastern Desert. Vegetation plays a vital role in sustaining life in the valleys
by providing important wood, cover, nesting sites for animals, and medicine and
utilitarian supplies for humans living in the area. The vegetation provides
critical habitat for birds seeking both nesting sites and shelters. It provides
a source of food for mammals such as camels and gazelles that inhabit the
valley. |
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