What is the Sinai Peninsula?

About Sinai Peninsula:

• It is a triangle-shaped peninsula located in northeastern Egypt.
• It serves as a land bridge connecting Asia and Africa.
• Area: 23,500 square miles (61,000 square km). 
• It is the sovereign territory of Egypt.
• Boundaries:
  • The peninsula is bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea and to the east by Israel and the Gaza Strip. 
  • To the west of the Sinai Peninsula is the Suez Canal, across which lies the African part of Egypt. 
  • The Sinai is bordered to the southwest by the Gulf of Suez and to the immediate south by the Red Sea. 
  • The Gulf of Aqaba borders the Sinai in the southeast.
  • Egypt shares maritime borders in the Sinai with Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
• History:
  • In the late 19th century, Egypt, including the Sinai Peninsula, became part of the British Empire.
  • British rule in Egypt would last until 1922, when the country was granted independence.
  • The peninsula was occupied by Israeli forces during the Six-Day War of June 1967.
  • It was returned to Egypt in 1982 under the terms of the peace treaty concluded between those countries in 1979.
• Geography: It is characterized by a diverse landscape, including mountain ranges, deserts, plateaus, and coastal regions.
• Population:
  • The Sinai is sparsely populated; about 600,000 people live in the region.
  • Today, the Sinai is mostly inhabited by Arab Egyptians and Bedouins.

Q1) What is the Gaza Strip?

The Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The territory takes its name from Gaza, its main city. It forms the smaller of the two Palestinian territories — the other being the West Bank. It is bordered by Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the south.

Source: US Says Egypt’s Rafah Crossing To Reopen, Working On Aid Delivery