'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎184] (199/1050)

AQA-AQA
diameter, and the fourth, situated 116 feet north-east of the great cistern is 13 feet
square All these wells, which are works of art, and executed with the greatest care
have a depth of nearly 200 feet. They were however, dry, and the labour expended on
them has been in vam.— {Huber).
'AQABAH (Gulf of)—
T he north-eastern arm of the Red Sea, nearly 120 miles long, with an average width
of about 12 miles, separating the Sinai peninsula from the Hejaz district of Arabia. It
is subject to violent and constant north winds increased by the high ranges of mountains
bound ng both sides of the sea which opening like a funnel towards Syria draw
the cooler atmosphere of .the northern regions to this part with such force as to raise a
swell against which no sailing ship can make way ; the gulf is consequently almcst devoid
ot native craft. 1 rom May to October the climate is insupportably hot The rainfall
on the coast is practically nil, but in the adjoining hills copious rains fall in the spring
months and in the late autumn. Outside, and to the east of the entrance to the Gulf are
the islands of Tiran and Sam fir on which the Turks have long since intended to build
barracks for the Aqabah Gulf garrison.
The Gulf of 'Aqabah is the Sinvs Aelanificus of antiquity, and may be described as
the eastern of the two divisions into which the Red Sea bifurcates near its northern
extremity It penetrates into Arabia Petraea in a north-north-eastern direction
from 28 to 29 32 A., a distance of 100 miles, and its breadth varies from 12 to 17
miles. Its entrance is contracted by Tiran, Sanafir, and other islands, so that the pass
age is rendered somewhat difficult; and its navigation is dangerous on account of the nu
merous coral reefs, and the sudden squalls which sweep down from the adjacent
mountains, many of which rise perpendicularly to a height of 2,000 feet. The gulf is a
continuation southward of the Jordan-'Araba depression. Raised beaches on the coast
show that there has been a considerable elevation of the sea-bed. The only wall-shel
tered port is that of Dhahab {Lit. gold) on its western shore, about 33 miles from the
entrance and 29 miles east of Jabal Sinai. Near the head of the gulf is Jazirat
Fir'aun {mediaeval Grdye\ a rocky islet with ruins of a castle built bv Baldwin T
(c. 1115 A.D.). ^ n
'AQABAH (Q al'at-al)—
A settlement lying on the eastern side of the head of the gulf of the same name. It
consists of an old square fort, a few a mud hovels chiefly occupied by fishermen and
some military huts on the eastern slopes overlooking the bay. Tnc shore is very low
at the head of the bay where the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. -al-'Arabah debouches. The village extends
some 800 yards along the shore, and is surrounded by groves of date palms. Opposite
the fort, and some 400 yards south-east of it, is the only anchorage, in 15 fathoms of
of water. The shore along which there is a depth of 2 to 5 fathoms, is low and consists
of black sand. The rise of the spring tide is about 4 feet. Just to the west of the fort
is a small jetty.
'Aqabah was formerly of importance as a depot for the supply of water and provisions
for pilgrims on their annual journey from Cairo to Mecca, via Suez and the Sinai
peninsula. Since pilgrims from that district now, however, proceed by sea to a point
further down the coast, thence striking on to the rail, its importance in this respect
has now greatly diminished. On the other hand the place was till quite recently uti
lised in conjunction with the forwarding of troops to the Yemen. Such troops are now
sent through the Suez canal.
Water is obtained from wells, the large deep well which was used in former days to
supply the pilgrim caravans being situated in the fort. Drinking water of a fair quality
can be obtained by digging a few feet down, while some good springs exist just north
west of the village. The amount of water available varies with the seasons. In the
summer it is reported that 5,000 men would be the maximum number that could he
supplied, while from November to April sufficient water for as many as 15,000 men mizht
be obtained. &
About 2J miles from the head of the gulf and on its eastern side is the village of 'Aqa
bah, with a picturesque mediaeval castle, built for the protection of pilgrims from Egypt
to Mecca. In the neighbourhood are extensive groves of date-palms, and there is an
ample supply of good water. 'Aqabah is of considerable historical interest and of great