Mersa Matruh
Mersa Matruh Location in Egypt
Coordinates: 31°20′N 27°13′E / 31.333°N 27.217°E / 31.333; 27.217
Country	Egypt
Governorate	Matruh Governorate
Population
- Total	68 339
- Ethnicities	Egyptians, Amazigh & Arabs.
Time zone	EST (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	+3 (UTC)

Mersa Matruh (Arabic مرسى مطروح [Marsā Maṭrūḥ]) During Ancient Egyptian times and Alexander The Great reign the city was known as Amunia. Then, (known in Ptolemaic and Byzantine times as Paraitonion (Παραιτόνιον) and in Roman times as Paraetonium) is a seaport in Egypt. It stands some 240 km (149 miles) west of Alexandria and 222 km from Sallum, along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, on the main highway from the Delta to the Libyan border. Another highway leads south from the town, headed for the Western Desert and the oases of Siwa and Bahariya.

Marsa Matruh is a main Egyptian touristic city serves as a getaway resort for Europeans and Cairenes eager to flee the capital in the sweltering summer months. It is served by Marsa Matruh Airport. The city is known for its white soft sands and calm transparent waters, for the bay is protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural wave-breaker, with a small opening to allow light vessels in.

[edit] History

It started as a small fishing town during Ancient Egyptian times and Alexander The Great and was named "Amunia". And there are ruins of a temple of Rameses II (1200 B.C.). Then, Mersa Matruh became known as Paraitonion in Ptolemaic era. Yet, when Roman occupation came to Egypt the town became an important harbor for trade and sending goods and crops to Rome. It was named Paraetonium at that time. During World War II, the British Army's Baggush Box was located to the east. During this period, Marsa Matruh was the terminus for a single-track railway which passed through El Alamein.

[edit] Climate

Mersa Matruh has a typical Mediterranean climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Since the city and the region as a whole witnes pleasent weather during summer, the city becomes a destinations for millions of Egyptians and foreign tourists. Rainfall occurs mainly during winter, but it could rain autumn and spring. Sleet and hail can take place.

[edit] Monuments and Tourist Sites

• Ruins of the Temple of the King, Pharaoh Rameses II (1200 B.C)
• Drown city of Caesar.
• Drown Palace of Cleopatra.
• Egyptian Fleet Anchorage which was built by the Ptolemies, the remains of the naval installations still stand west of the port.
• Coptic Chapel: built in the early Coptic age, and contains several caves bearing inscriptions.
• Rommel's Hideout: A cave, hewn in the rock, where Rommel drew up plans of his military operations. It has now been turned into a military museum.
• The British Cemetery: Thousands upon thousands of rock-hewn tombstones stand straight rows amidst a fenced garden.
• The German Cemetery: It is a fortress like memorial that was built on a high overlooking the

sea.

• The Italian Cemetery: It is a high tower fort standing on a high hill. The walls of the building are covered with marble.

[edit] Main Beaches

• Ageebah Beach: About 28 km. west of Mersa Matrouh downtown, it is distinguished by its numerous natural caves and enchanting scenery.
• Al-Abyad Beach: About 20 km. west of Mersa Matrouh downtown, beauty surpasses that of Mersa Matrouh beach.
• Romel Bay.

[edit] See also

• Northern coast of Egypt

[edit] References

• Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. "Geographical information on Marsa Matruh, Egypt". http://www.fallingrain.com/world/EG/22/Marsa_Matruh.html. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 

Coordinates: 31°20′N 27°13′E / 31.333°N 27.217°E / 31.333; 27.217

[edit] Mersa Matruh Images gallery

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