North Sinai Governorate

North Sinai has a rich history dating back to ancient times and is home to several ancient settlements that hold significant historical and Biblical importance – Ostrakine and Kasion, both of which served as a border city between Egypt and Syria and an important bishopric in the Byzantine era; Kadesh Barnea, an important site, with its history tied to the events described in the Bible.

The population of the North Sinai Governorate as at 2015 was 434,781 people, comprising predominantly Bedouin tribesmen. The Governorate covers an area of 27,574 square kilometers. The population density is 15 inhabitants per square kilometer.

North Sinai was especially affected by the Sinai insurgency and measures by government forces to combat it, which has resulted in many casualties. On October 14, 2016, twelve Egyptian troops were killed at a checkpoint near El Arish. On November 27, 2017, a mosque in the village of Al-Rawda was attacked by roughly 40 gunmen, killing at least 305 and injuring up to 128 others, making it the deadliest terror attack in Egyptian history.

Archaeology

In August 2026, archaeologists excavating the ancient settlement of Asila uncovered the remains of a roadside caravanserai believed to have served commercial caravans, Egyptian pilgrims, and other travellers using the Sultan’s Road, also known as the Egyptian Pilgrims’ Road. The structure contains mudbrick and red-brick walls reinforced with limestone foundations, several rooms, and possible shops, while associated finds include large pottery vessels used for storing water and provisions, olive-green glazed pottery, red-and-white pottery, and fragments of lamps. The artifacts suggest a Mamluk-period date, although further analysis is required for precise dating. The discovery adds evidence for the network of stations that supported pilgrimage, trade, communication, and travel between Egypt, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula.