Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2011
Most of Sinai belongs to the Saharo-Arabian phytogeographical region. It is covered with a sparse vegetation of semishrubs, restricted to wadis or growing on slopes of rocky hills and in sand fields. The high mountains of southern Sinai support a mainly Irano-Turanian steppe vegetation. Smooth-faced rock outcrops supply sufficient run-off water to permit the survival of trees, shrubs, many relict species, and most of the endemics of Sinai. There are 28 endemic species in Sinai, of which 25 occur in the mountainous districts of Sinai. The foothills of eastern Sinai and the coastal area of the Gulf of Elat have a savanna-like vegetation and support thermophilous Sudanian trees and shrubs in wadis and rock crevices.