El-Arish, located on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, is the largest city in the North Sinai Governorate and plays a significant role in the region's history and trade. Situated 344 kilometers from Cairo and near the Egypt-Gaza border, it has been a strategic location for centuries. The city's name reflects a long history of adaptation to geopolitical and environmental shifts. El-Arish is defined by its geographical features, including the Wadi el-Arish, which brings occasional water to the area, and its proximity to the Azzaraniq Protectorate, highlighting its ecological diversity. The city's Mediterranean-influenced climate offers contrasting temperatures, with hot days and cooler nights. Modern infrastructure, including El-Arish International Airport and a deep-water seaport, underscores its importance as a trade hub. El-Arish's history is marked by encounters with various empires, periods of construction and destruction, and its role in 20th-century military events, all of which contribute to its complex identity today.