12 things you should know about Ashtum El Gamil Protectorate

CAIRO – 16 September 2017: Ashtum Al Gamil Protectorate, Tennis Island and a few other islands (all considered part of the Ashtum Al Gamil Protectorate) in the Lake Manzala area are known for their diverse ecological and biological systems. Here are 12 things you probably did not know about the protectorate.

1- It was declared a natural protectorate in 1998.

2- The protectorate is located on the coastal road between Port Said and Damietta, seven kilometers west of Port Said.

3- The whole protectorate stretches over 35 square kilometers, while Tennis Island alone is eight square kilometers in area.

4- It includes Bo Ghazi Al Gamiel, Ashtum Al Gamil and Tennis Island.



Ashtum Al Gamil Protectorate - Mohamed Kamal Wikimedia commons

5- Tennis Island is located in Manzala Lake, seven kilometers south-west of Port Said.

6- The Island contains the archaeological hill of Tennis, which has a great historical value. The island is surrounded by 300 meters of water.

7- The protectorate’s climate is moderate in the summer and warm in the winter with rain on the coastal areas.

8- The protectorate is considered a main stop for immigrating bird species seeking food and rest during the long migration in the spring and fall seasons.

9- A large variety of bird species live in Ashtum Al Gamil, some of which are endangered, such as the Wild and Zarkany Ducks, Shelduck, Sultan chicken, Barbary dove and many more.

10- The marine environment is rich with invertebrates, scaly animals and numerous fish species.

11- Tennis Island was one of the most beautiful Egyptian cities since the Muslim conquest of Egypt and until the Ayyubid era. In 1246, king Mohamed ibn Al Adil ibn Ayyub ordered demolishing it and moving its people from it.

12- Ashtum Al Gamil has an economical importance because of the all-year-round fishing in Lake Manzala.


Ashtum Al Gamil Protectorate - Mohamed Kamal Wikimedia commons