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Welcome
to Egypt
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General Information About Egypt
Egypt is probably the world's oldest civilization having
emerged from the Nile Valley around 3,100 BC, historically.
Egypt is probably one of the oldest vacation spots. Early
Greeks, Romans and others went there just for fun, and to
see the wonders of some of mankind's earliest triumphs. But
Egypt is much more than Pyramids and monuments. It is also
Red Sea scuba diving, hot night spots, luxury hotels and
five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile
on festive river boats, a night at the grand opera and it is
a cultural experience like none you have ever experienced.
Egypt is a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and
excitement. More than anything else, we want you to think of
Egypt as fun. For thousands of years, it has been the
playground of emperors and kings, and we hope you will take
the time to find out why.
Although nearly all of Egypt is desert, the small part
that isn't - the valley of the Nile River - is vital to the
nation (95% of the population lives within a few miles of
the Nile's banks). Most tours of Egypt - except to desert
oasis - whether by cruise, train, bus or a private car,
never stray too far from the river's shores.
The land: Egypt is located in
the northeastern corner of Africa and covers an area of
386,000 square miles. Only about 5% of the country is
inhabited along the banks of the Nile whose course stretches
over 900 miles from the Mediterranean in the North to the
Sudan in the South. To the West lies Libya and to the East
are the desert plateau, Red Sea and Sinai. Egypt's most
fertile area is the Nile Delta. Cairo, Egypt's capital, has
16 million inhabitants, and Alexandria, the countryÕs second
largest city, has a population of 5.5 million.
The people: In 2003, Egypt's
population totalled. 70 million. About 90% of Egyptians are
concentrated in the fertile Nile Delta and live in 5% of the
country's territory - 44% in urban areas and most in some
4,000 villages. However, during the past few years, there
has been an urban migration. The Egyptians are outgoing,
warm and have a distinct sense of humor. They have respect
and a liking for foreigners, and a deep sense of tolerance
for other races, religions and nationalities.
Geography: Egypt is located in
the northeastern corner of Africa. Rectangular in shape, it
covers an area of 386,000 square miles. To the West lie the
Western Desert and Libya, and a desert plateau, Red Sea and
Sinai, borders the East. The Sudan is on Egypt's southern
border and to the North lies the Mediterranean. Only about 4
to 5 percent of the vast country is inhabited along the
banks of the Nile. Below Cairo, the Nile fans out in two
main branches - Rosetta on the West and Damietta on the
East. Egypt can be divided into the following parts:
The Eastern Desert: including
the plateau extending from the Nile Valley to the Red Sea,
and The Sinai which includes Mount Catherine, Egypt's
highest mountain, reaching 8,668 feet.
The Western Desert: about 68
percent of the country's total territory. It extends from
the Nile Valley to the Libyan borders, and from the
Mediterranean coast to the Sudan.
The Nile Valley: Egypt's main
inhabited area. This fertile valley is a strip 7 to 9 miles
wide along the Nile and some 6,000 square miles in the Nile
Delta. The Nile's total length in Egypt is about 900 miles.
Language: Arabic is Egypt's
official language. However, most Egyptians understand and
speak English and French. In larger towns, the foreign
visitors will encounter no difficulty in communicating with
the people.
Weather: Autumn and winter are
the ideal seasons to visit Egypt when mild weather prevails,
temperatures vary between 60 and 80 Fahrenheit. Evenings are
cool. During April, an occasional hot sand wind blows which
can make sightseeing less enjoyable. The summer months are
hot, 80 - 105; however, the air is dry and humidity low. In
Alexandria, on the Mediterranean, the months of December
through February are rainy and cold. October to April
represents the best time, with water temperatures of 60 to
70 F.
Religion: Approximately 85
percent of the population of Egypt are Moslems. Most of the
balance, about 9 million, are Christian Orthodox who belong
to the Coptic Church. In most cities in Egypt, mosques and
churches can be found next to each other. There are also
some synagogues since a small Jewish community still lives
in Egypt.
Economy: Before the 1952
revolution, Egypt's economy depended mainly on agriculture.
Since then, however, the country has developed its other
natural resources, and at present Egypt exports oil,
finished textiles, canned food, cars, and the Suez Canal is
considered an important source of revenue as an average of
70 ships cross it daily and pay fees. .Tourism is a main
part of the economy. In an effort to increase its cultivable
land, the country is using new irrigation methods, and in
parts of the desert new cities have been built.
Agriculture: The high fertility
of the soil in the Nile Valley enables Egypt to grow many
agricultural products, especially rice, vegetables, onion,
sugar cane and fruit. Furthermore, Egypt is one of the
world's main producers and exporters of long staple cotton.
Education: Education in Egypt
from primary school up till university is provided free to
all Egyptians. The education system is composed of four
stages - primary, preparatory, secondary, and university.
Primary education is mandatory and is extended to children
between the ages of six and twelve.
Currency: The basic unit of
currency is the Egyptian pound divided into 100 piasters.
Banknotes: 25, 50 (piasters), 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
(Egyptian pounds). Silver coins: 5, 10, 20 piasters.
Fluctuating exchange rate stands now approximately at one
U.S. $ = 3.45 Egyptian pounds.
Egypt History
Recorded history in Egypt began around 4,000 B.C. when B.C.
nomadic hunters settled in the Nile Valley. But it was in
3,100 B.C. that Egypt crowned her first Pharaoh, Menes, who
later unified the country's two regions, Lower Egypt (The
Delta) and Upper Egypt (from Giza to Aswan in the South).
Egypt's history can be summarized as follows:
Predynastic Egypt: C 5,000 -
3,200 B.C.
Dynastic Egypt: C 3,200 - 2,700
B.C. Development of society,law and religion.
The Old Kingdom: C 2,700 -
2,600 B.C.Great achievements especially in the fields of
administration, astronomy and architecture.
The Middle Kingdom: C 2,260 -
1,780 B.C. An era of prosperity and expansion of political
strength and economic, horizons. Thebes became the capital.
Later, Egypt was invaded by the Hyksos, coming from Caucasia,
who remained for 150 years until finally driven back.
The New Kingdom: C 1,580 -
1,085 B.C. Four centuries of splendor, prosperity and
spiritual and artistic achievements. Architecture reaches
heights.
The Decline: C 1,090 - 332 B.C. The country fell under the
influence of priests. In 525 B.C. Egypt was conquered by the
Persians.
The Greco-Roman Period: C 332
B.C. - 640 A.D. In 332 B.C. Alexander the Great took
possession of Egypt, called himself a Pharaoh, and founded
the city of Alexandria. After his death, the Ptolemaic
Dynasty was founded, and Alexandria flourished. Disputes and
fratricidal wars ended the Greek domination marked by
Cleopatra's suicide. Afterwards, Egypt became a Roman
Province.
The Coptic Period: 30 B.C. -
640 A.D. In 61 A.D. Chnstianity was introduced to Egypt by
St. Mark who founded the Patriarchate of Alexandria, and by
190 A.D. there was a large and flourishing Christian
community. After the Roman Empire was officially divided in
395 A.D., Egypt became a part of its Eastern portion, known
as the Byzantine Empire whose religion was Christianity. A
few years later, the Alexandria Patriarch preached a
doctrine of Christianity which was rejected by th Byzantine
Church. Consequently, the Coptic Christians in Egypt were
persecuted by the Melkite Orthodox.
The Islamic Period: In 641
A.D., the Byzantines were defeated by Arab Moslem armies led
by Amr Ibn El-As who built his capital near present-day
Cairo. Egypt became an arab country with a Moslem majority
and religious freedom was accorded to people. Later Egypt
was invaded by Ottoman sultans who relied on Mamelouks
(slaves) to govern the country. In 1798, Napoleon conquered
Egypt but had to withdraw after his defeat at the naval
battle of Abu-Kir, near Alexandria. An Albanian officer in
the Ottoman service called Mohamed Ali declared himself
ruler of the country, and during his reign (1805- 1849) in
many fields, Egypt made tremendous progress; however, under
the rule of his grandson, Khedive Ismail, the necessity for
foreign capital to finance digging the Suez Canal lead to
British rule in Egypt.
The 1952 Revolution: In 1952, the royal dynasty established
by Mohamed Au came to an end when a group of army officers
forced the abdication of King Farouk, and in 1954 Gamal
Abdel-Nasser became Egypt's president. Egypt was proclaimed
a republic. After his death in 1970, Nasser was succeeded by
Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat who was assassinated in 1981. Mohamed
Hosni Moubarak was elected to Presidency.
The Egyptian Government: Egypt
is called the Arab Republic of Egypt. The system of
government is democratic presidential. The president is
nominated by the People's Assembly composed of 350 members
and approved through popular referendum. He serves a 6 -year
term and may be re-elected for further terms of office. |
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