From this mountain of al Tur the distance to
either of the opposite coasts is small by sea, but longer about by the
desert of Fakiyah, as those who travel by land from al Tur to Mesr
are under the necessity of going round by al Kolzum, and those who go
by land from al Tur to Hejaz must go round by way of Aylah. Al Tur
joins the continent on the north, but its other three sides are washed
by the sea. The sea of al Kolzum, after passing some way to the
south-east from al Tur begins to widen on either side, till it becomes
seventy[345] miles broad. This wider part is called Barkah al
Gorondal.
[Footnote 345: These are to be understood as Arabian miles, 56-2/3 to
the degree, or each equal to 1-1/4 English miles according to Norwoods
measure, 69-1/2 to the degree. - Astl. I. 132. b.
This would only give 80 English miles for the breadth of the Red Sea;
whereas, immediately below the junction of the two northern guffs, it is
104 miles broad, and its greatest breadth for a long way is 208
miles. - E.]
Table of Situations, from Abulfeda[346].
Lat.
deg. min.
