GHURDAQAH, AL-

capital of Al-Bahr al-Ahmar muhafazah (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. The Marine Biology Station for oceanographic and fisheries research is located in the town. A highway along the Red Sea coast links al-Ghurdaqah to Suez (as-Suways) to the north and to al-Qusayr to the south. Pop. (1986 prelim.) 22,801.