| North Sinai Governorate | |
| Settlement Type: | Governorate |
| Flag Size: | 120px |
| Image Blank Emblem: | Coat of arms of North Sinai Governorate.png |
| Blank Emblem Size: | 75px |
| Coordinates: | 30.5°N 33.6°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Seat: | Arish (capital) |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Mohamed Abdel-Fadil[1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 27,574 |
| Population Footnotes: | [2] |
| Population Total: | 450531 |
| Population As Of: | January 2024 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | GDP |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Total |
| Demographics1 Info1: | EGP 49 billion (US$ 3.1 billion) |
| Timezone1: | EET |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | HDI (2021) |
| Blank2 Info Sec1: | 0.738[3] · 10th |
North Sinai Governorate (Arabic: محافظة شمال سيناء ) 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,[4] 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,[5] which has resulted in many casualties. On October 14, 2016, twelve Egyptian troops were killed at a checkpoint near El Arish.[6] 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.[7] [8]
The governorate is divided into municipal divisions for administrative purposes with a total estimated population as of January 2023 of 504,201.
| El Arish 1 | Arabic: قسم أول العريش | 60,219 | Kism (urban and rural parts) | ||
| El Arish 2 | Arabic: قسم ثان العريش | 70,856 | Kism (fully urban) | ||
| El Arish 3 | Arabic: قسم ثالث العريش | 47,701 | Kism (fully urban) | ||
| El Arish 4 | Arabic: قسم رابع العريش | 29,343 | Kism (urban and rural parts) | ||
| El Hassana | Arabic: قسم الحسنة | 21,213 | Kism (urban and rural parts) | ||
| Sheikh Zuweid | Arabic: قسم الشيخ زويد | 65,964 | Kism (urban and rural parts) | ||
| Bir El Abd | Arabic: قسم بئر العبد | 60,827 | Kism (urban and rural parts) | ||
| Nakhl | Arabic: قسم نخل | 6,662 | Kism (urban and rural parts) | ||
| Rafah | Arabic: قسم رفح | 82,793 | Kism (urban and rural parts) | ||
| Shurtet El Qasima | Arabic: قسم القسيمة | 13,331 | Kism (fully rural) | ||
| Shurtet Rumana | Arabic: قسم رمانة | 45,292 | Kism (fully rural) |
According to population estimates, in 2024 the majority of residents in the governorate lived in urban areas, with an urbanization rate of 60.2%. Out of an estimated total of 450,531 people, 261,219 people lived in urban areas and 179,312 lived in rural areas.
North Sinai is divided into six markaz (counties), each with an eponymous city as their capitals.[9]
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:[10]