The Siwa

The Siwa Oasis(Siwi: Isiwan;Arabic:واحة سيوة‎Wāḥat Sīwah,IPA:[ˈwæːħet ˈsiːwæ])

is anoasis in Egypt, between the Qattara Depression and the Egyptian Sand Seain the Libyan Desert, nearly 50 km (30 mi) east of the Libyan border, and 560 km (348 mi) from Cairo.[1][2][3] About 80 km (50 mi) in length and 20 km (12 mi) wide,[1]Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt's mostisolated settlements, with 23,000 people, mostlyBerber speakers [1]who speak a distinct language of the Berber family known asSiwi.
I'ts fame lies primarily in its ancient role as the home to anoracle of Amon, the ruins of which are a popular tourist attraction which gave the oasis its ancient nameAmmonium.
Historically, it is part of Ancient Libya.
Its modern nameSiwa, first attested in the 15th century (earlier Arab geographers termed it santariyyah), is of uncertain origin.
Basset[4] links it to a Berber tribal nameswhattested further west in the early Islamic period, while Ilahiane,[5]following Chafik, links it to the Tashelhiyt Berber wordasiwan, a type of prey bird, and hence to Amon-Ra, one of whose symbols was the falcon.Agricultureis the main activity of modern Siwi,particularly the cultivation of datesandolives.
Handicrafts like basketry are also of regional importance.
[1]The isolation of the oasis caused the development of a unique culture which was shown in its pottery, costume, styles of embroidery and, most notably, in thesilver jewellery worn by women to weddings and important occasions. These pieces were decorated with symbols which related to Siwa’s history and beliefs and attitudes.
[6]Tourism has in recent decades become a vital source of income.
Much attention has been given to creating hotels that use local materials and play on local styles. It is hoped that an influx of Egyptian and foreign nationalvisitors will begin to occur so as to be able to witness the recently discovered vernal and autumnal Equinox alignments between the obscure, remote desert temple known as Timasirayn and the Aghurmi mound/Amun Oracle.

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