Ras El Hekma

Ras El Hekma area is one of the Egyptian North Coast areas. It is administratively affiliated with Matrouh Governorate in northwestern Egypt. This area is considered one of the historical evidence of Egypt’s western gateway to the Mediterranean Sea.

Ras El Hekma area was used only as a port and a resting place for kings and presidents. But recently the Egyptian government took advantage of this strategic location through a deal, considered the largest in the country’s history, to revive the faltering economy.

In this article, we present to you all the details, geographical, and historical information about Ras El Hekma area, and the most important tourist villages located on its land.

Ras El Hekma Location

Ras El Hekma is located on the Egyptian northwestern coast, about 350 kilometers northwest of Cairo city. It extends over an area of approximately 180 square kilometers, forming a sea headland within the Mediterranean Sea with a 50 square kilometers length between the Dabaa area to Marsa Matrouh at the west.

Below we present to you the most important geographical information about the Ras El Hekma Location:

• Ras El Hekma area enjoys an attractive geographical, strategic, and tourist location, as it is located west of Al-Alamein city and Al-Hamra oil port.
• Ras El Hekma is a very short distance from Marsa Matrouh and Burj Al Arab International Airport.
• The region has a land road linking Cairo directly to the north coast.
• Ras El Hekma is characterized by distinct natural features such as clear sea water and soft sandy beaches, making it an ideal tourist destination for visitors and travelers.

Ras El Hekma Weather

The weather of Ras El Hekma is classified as a calm climate region. In summer, it is the best destination for many summer vacationers and visitors to enjoy its moderate heat and exceptional coastal atmosphere.

Temperatures in the Ras El Hekma area range between 24.6 Celsius in summer, to 18.8 Celsius, which is an appropriate temperature that does not exceed the global standard for suitable weather for human comfort. 

Ras El Hekma’s History

Ras El Hekma’s history back to the Greek and Roman eras in Egypt. According to official reports from the Matrouh Antiquities Area, Ras El Hekma area was known as “Abar Al Kanayes”. This name was used to describe the peaks of Mountains and hills that receive large amounts of rain, where this water collects in storage wells.

In one of the historical books transmitted by the Bedouin researcher Qaddoura Al-Ajni, the writer indicated that the naming of the Ras El Hekma area is back to the “Bani Hakim”. Bani Hakim was one of the tribes of the Arabian that settled in the region in the Mamluk era.

According to press reports, the area was formerly known as the “Cape of Churches,” due to a mountain containing the ruins of several churches.

According to what was explained by the Tawfiqiya Encyclopedia, “Ras al-Kanais” was an important port for docking large boats during the era of Muhammad Ali family. It was one of the new villages that were established to belong to the Western Desert Governorate until 1945.

Until King Farouk issued a decision in 1941 to change the name of the area to “Ras El Hekma”, as it was a favorite area for him to rest there.

Egyptian-Emirati Cooperation

On February 23, 2024, Egypt signed an agreement with the UAE to develop the “Ras El Hekma” area, at a cost estimated at approximately 150 billion dollars.

This new contract included investments amounting to about $35 billion to the Egyptian government within two months of the contract. $24 billion of which was used directly for liquidity, while the other 11 billion were paid as Emirati deposits in the Egyptian banks.

Egypt sought help from the UAE in developing the Ras al-Hikma area due to its impressive history of development witnessed by the world. UAE has been chosen because of its reputation as an honorable tourist icon visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world throughout the year.

Important Information about Ras Al-Hikma

Next, we present to you the most important information about Ras El Hekma area:

• Ras El Hekma area is located on the northwestern coast between Al Dabaa and Marsa Matrouh City. The area geographically belongs to Marsa Matrouh Governorate and extends over an estimated distance of approximately 50 kilometers.
• Ras El Hekma area is distinguished by its strategic location, which gives it a charming view of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Ras El Hekma area is about 140 kilometers from Cairo Governorate and is considered one of the most important tourist destinations on the Egyptian north coast.
• Ras Al-Hikma area is characterized by charming natural landscapes that make it a destination for major investors to establish tourist resorts on its land, due to its natural beauty, clear waters, and beautiful sandy beaches.
• The beaches of Ras El Hekma are safe for swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Ras El Hekma area enjoys a distinguished strategic location thanks to its proximity to El Alamein AirPort and Hamra Oil Port, in addition to its proximity to Marsa Matrouh International Airport and Borg El Arab International Airport.
• According to the latest government report from the Egyptian state, Jarawla-Ras El Hekma sector looks forward to enhancing integration and communication between all the Egyptian governorates and coastal areas, including Alexandria, El Alamein, Dabaa, Marsa Matrouh, Sidi Barrani, and Salloum.
• Ras El Hekma has many components that enhance agricultural and industrial development. It includes a variety of food industries, such as figs and dates factories, in addition to oil extraction factories and other industries.
• Ras El Hekma area contains the most famous villages and tourist resorts on the north coast.
• Finally, this service beauty city provides many job opportunities for young people.