Standing on top of Mt. Sinai, a trekking guide looks over the St. Katherine’s Protectorate, situated about a two hours’ drive from Dahab, Egypt. He is a member of the Jabaelya tribe, one of the seven tribes of the South Sinai region. This unique tribe is a mixture of Arab and Eastern European blood, descending from the soldiers of Emperor Justinian, who he brought to guard the Monastery of St. Katherine.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND ARABIC. Jagged mountains, expansive desert, white-sand beaches and the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea comprise the dramatic scenery of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, located in the far south of the Sinai Peninsula, in close proximity to vibrant coral reefs and with services developed around first-rate water sports, particularly scuba diving.