Nekhel

Nekhel نِخِل
City
Nickname(s): Heart of Sinai
Motto: Frozen Heart
Nekhel Location in Egypt
Coordinates: 29°54′N 33°45′E / 29.900°N 33.750°E / 29.900; 33.750
Country	Egypt
Governorate	North Sinai Governorate
Kism	Nekhel Kism
Government
• President of Nekhel Municipality and Nekhel City	Hemdan Mahmoud Bekir
Area
• Total	4,260 sq mi (11,034 km2)
Elevation	1,379.9 ft (420.6 m)
Population (2006-11-21)
• Total	11,023
• Ethnicities:	Bedouins and Egyptians.
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)

Nekhel (Arabic: نِخِل‎‎  Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [ˈnexel]; also spelled and pronounced Nakhl  [næxl]) is the capital of Nekhel Municipality of North Sinai Governorate, Sinai, Egypt. It is located in the heart of Sinai Peninsula along the southern border of North Sinai Governorate with South Sinai Governorate. It is located at the skirts of El Tih Mountains and foothills at an elevation of 420.6 m (1,380 ft). Coordinates of the city is 29°54'N; 33°45'E. Nekhel city is divided into 10 Markazes: Ras Naqb, Contilla, Sedr Elhitan, Tamd, Bir Grid, Khafga, Boruk, Netila, Ein Twibah and Assalam.

Nekhel was always part of the Egyptian Empire throughout history and it was part of the province of "Du Mafkat" in Ancient Egypt. Nekhel was the ancient capital of the entire Sinai province of Egypt, thanks to its outstanding strategic location at the exact center of the peninsula. In the 16th century BC, the Egyptian Pharaohs built the way of Shur across Sinai to Beersheba and on to Jerusalem. The region provided the Egyptian Empire with minerals, turquoise, gold and copper, and well-preserved ruins of mines and temples are excavated there.

Being located on the new Hajj Route, Nekhel gained additional significance. In addition to its previous role as a strategic fort capital of Sinai. Hence, the city became a main rest and trade destination for Muslims who passed through the Hajj Route during Hajj season from entire Africa and Egypt towards Mecca for pilgrimage.

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Wikipedia