Library > History & Government > Middle East

Gulf of Aqaba - Eilat: Development & Preservation

2001
The Gulf of Aqaba-Eilat lies at the northern end of the Red Sea and along the borders of four countries: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. The uniqueness of the gulf lies in the striking contrast of its clear water and the abundant and varied aquatic life it supports. The site includes textual information and pictures about the uniqueness of the gulf and about human activities taking place along the North Shore. The environmental impact of all the key sites found along the coast in Israel and in Jordan is presented. Most of the Information was taken from work made by senior students from the Earth Sience class in Ma'ale Shaharut School. A virtual map provides a link to each site. Incorporated in the site there is also a game – Simgulf – in which a visitor to the site is invited to learn independently about the land use and the environmental impact of a range of activities in the coastal region. Joint development of the site is contributing greatly to cementing relations between the partners from Jordan and Israel. In today’s “burning” Middle-East cooperation is of major importance, especially in view of the fact that such cooperation will contribute to the preservation of plants and wildlife in the gulf. Recently published reports on the ecology of the Gulf of Aqaba-Eilat indicate the situation of the coral is worsening. This makes the site even more important. The Gulf News link provides access to these reports.