Saint Catherine Protectorate

Saint Catherine Protectorate

**  In the heart of south Sinai locates Saint Catherine protectorate with a total area of 4300 sq km.

-  601 sq km of this protectorate (Orange area) is a unique topography high mountain range that extends in a circular manner becomes a world natural heritage at June 2002.

-     Saint Catherine area has a high historical value since it has the oldest surviving 4^th century Byzantines architecture which escaped from iconoclast destruction.

-  The site is very unique in its cultural and natural merits. It contains the highest peak in Egypt, Mt. Katherine (2664 m.) associated with all the plant and animal diversity merging from the varying climatic conditions.

-  Approximately 40% of the endemic floral species of Egypt are present in the area. The Sinai Baton blue which seems to be the world smallest butterfly is endemic to the area.

 -  In addition the area is the home of many animal species that are coexisting together like no other place on earth as a result of being in a crossing between three contents of the old world.