North Sinai Governorate

North Sinai Governorate (محافظة شمال سيناء Muḥāfẓet Shamāl Sīnāʾ) 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 (Rafah Governorate) and Israel (Southern District). 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 has since 2011 been 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.

Municipal divisions
The governorate is divided into municipal divisions for administrative purposes with a total estimated population as of January 2023 of 504,201.

Population
According to population estimates, in 2015 the majority of residents in the governorate lived in urban areas, with an urbanization rate of 60.2%. Out of an estimated total of 434,781 people, 261,686 people lived in urban areas and 173,095 lived in rural areas.

Counties and cities
North Sinai is divided into six markaz (counties), each with an eponymous city as their capitals.
 * Al-Arish, also the governorate's capital and largest city, with 164,830 inhabitants.
 * Nekhel
 * Rafah
 * Bir al-Abd
 * Al-Hassana (see Raid on Bir el Hassana and the map included therein; "bir" means "a well")
 * Sheikh Zuweid

Industrial zones
According to the Egyptian Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in affiliation with the Ministry of Investment (MOI), the following industrial zones are located in the governorate:
 * Bir Al Abd
 * Al Masa’eed Artisans
 * Heavy industrial zone - Arish

Governors

 * Muhammad Abdul Mun'em El Qirmani (May 1974-November 1976)
 * Fu'ad Ibrahim Nassar (November 1976-November 1978)
 * Muhammad Hussein Shawkat (November 1978-May 1980)
 * Youssef Sabri Abu Taleb (May 1980-August 1982)
 * Mounir Ahmad Shash (September 1982-January 1996)
 * Muhammad Dasouqi El Ghayati (January 1996-July 1997)
 * Ali Hifzi Muhammad (July 1997-November 1999)
 * Ahmad Abdul Hamid Muhammad (November 1999-April 2008)
 * Abdel Fadil Shousha (April 2008-January 2010)
 * Murad Muwafi (January 2010-January 2011)
 * Sayyid Abdul Wahhab Mabrouk (30 January 2011 – 8 August 2012)
 * Abdul Fattah Harhour (4 September 2012 – 30 August 2018)
 * Abdel Fadil Shousha (second term) (August 2018-)