Sinai Desert

The Tih plateau occupies much of central Sinai, a broad limestone upland cut by dry valleys and bounded by steep escarpments. Its arid surface separates the Mediterranean lowlands from the high mountains of southern Sinai. Across this country passed the Egyptian pilgrimage road to Mecca. Wells, forts and stopping places such as Nekhel helped travellers negotiate the long journey through the peninsula toward Aqaba.