North Sinai Governorate


North Sinai is one of the governorates of Egypt. It is located in the north-eastern part of the country, and encompasses the northern half of the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered in the north by the Mediterranean Sea, in the south by South Sinai Governorate, in the west by Port Said, Ismailia, and Suez Governorates, and in the east by the Gaza Strip in Palestine and Israel. Its capital is the city of El Arish. A governorate is administered by a governor, who is appointed by the President of Egypt and serves at the president's discretion.
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.
WWW northsinai.gov.eg

Municipal divisions

The governorate is divided into municipal divisions for administrative purposes with a total estimated population as of January 2023 of 504,201.
Anglicized nameNative nameArabic transliterationPopulation
Type
El Arish 1 قسم أول العريش60,219Kism
El Arish 2قسم ثان العريش70,856Kism
El Arish 3قسم ثالث العريش47,701Kism
El Arish 4قسم رابع العريش29,343Kism
El Hassanaقسم الحسنة 21,213Kism
Sheikh Zuweidقسم الشيخ زويد 65,964Kism
Bir El Abdقسم بئر العبد 60,827Kism
Nakhl قسم نخل 6,662Kism
Rafahقسم رفح 82,793Kism
Shurtet El Qasimaقسم القسيمة13,331Kism
Shurtet Rumanaقسم رمانة45,292Kism

Population

According to population estimates, in 2024 the majority of residents in the governorate lived in urban areas, with an urbanization rate of 60.2%. Out of an estimated total of people, 261,219 people lived in urban areas and 179,312 lived in rural areas.

Counties and cities

North Sinai is divided into six markaz, each with an eponymous city as their capitals.

Industrial zones

According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones, the following industrial zones are located in North Sinai:
Zone name
Be'r El Abd Industrial Zone
Massaeed Crafts Zone

Governors