In the nineteenth century, there were two Alexandrias. First, the Ottoman quarter, inhabited by the Turkish and Egyptian population. Adjacent to it appeared the new European town, built and occupied by the foreigners who flocked to Alexandria in search of financial opportunities. The lands to the east (known as the Ramleh / sand) were sparsely dotted with native villages on a stretch of sand, dunes, and desert that separated the rural scenery of the Nile delta from the sea. The climate was healthy and the location beautiful, so it was only natural that affluent Europeans would decide to build garden villas and mansions. Gradually, this area became a sort of Egyptian Riviera full of luxurious hotels, sporting clubs, and organized beaches full of palm trees that transformed Alexandria into an ideal summer resort.