Gebel Elba

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'Gebel Elba[[1]]or Elba Mountain is a mountain in Egypt.

Due its closeness[2] to the sea and its interception of moisture-laden north-east winds, Gebel Elba enjoys a higher precipitation than other Red Sea Mountains. The summit is a “mist oasis” where much of the precipitation is contributed in the form of dew, mist and clouds, creating a unique and rare ecosystem not found anywhere else in the country. Indeed, Gebel Elba is a “biodiversity hotspot”, with a biological diversity unparalleled in any other terrestrial environment in Egypt. The relative abundance of moisture supports a diverse flora of some 458 plant species – almost 25% of plant species recorded for the entire country. Many Afrotropical elements have their northern limits at Gebel Elba, and the dense cover of acacias and other scrubs represents the only natural woodland in Egypt.