Marsa Matrouh lies on the Mediterranean coast, 295 kilometers west of Alexandria, and is near the border with Libya. It is famous for its beautiful, sandy beaches.  At the time of the pharaohs it was a small fishing village. Its name underwent several changes during the time of Alexandra the Great, the Byzantines, and the Romans. Under Roman rule it became an important port for exporting agricultural products to Rome. During the Second World War the British built a military fort in the east of the city, which became a major battlefield between the British and German forces.