Ghardaqah, Al-

Al-Ghardaqah, capital of Al-Baḥr al-Aḥmar muḥāfaẓah (governorate), Egypt. The town is a small Red Sea port, but its main industry is oil exploration and production. It is the site of a large oil field and serves as the administrative and support centre for the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez oil fields. A marine biology station for oceanographic and fisheries research is located in the town. A highway along the Red Sea coast links Al-Ghardaqah to Suez (Al-Suways) to the north and to Al-Quṣayr to the south. Pop. (2006) 160,901.