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.

The Capital (and largest city):Cairo

Official Language:Arabic

Government:Republic

Legislative Authority:People’s Assembly

Establishment3200 BC

The National Day:23 July

Area:1.002.450 km2

Population:86,895,099

Population density:86/km2

Currency:Egyptian Pound

Time Zone:(UTC + 2)

Drives on the:Left

GEOGRAPHY

Arab Republic of Egypt is located in the far north-eastern African continent, bordered on the north by the south-eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and on the east by the north-western coast of the Red Sea, its area is 1,002,450 square km. Most of the Egyptian land is located in Africa, but part of its land, the Sinai Peninsula, is located in the continent of Asia.

Egypt has borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north- east, and the Red Sea to the east. Egypt is traversed by the Suez Canal between its Asian and African territories.

Most of the population of Egypt is concentrated in the Nile Valley, particularly in Cairo, which has nearly a quarter of the population, and Alexandria; most of the remaining population live in the Delta and on both coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and the Suez Canal cities, these regions constitute only 4% of the area of Egypt. While the majority of the remaining area of the Republic is desert and is uninhabited.

CLIMATE

The prevailing climate is desert and semi-desert, however, the Mediterranean climate prevails on the northern coasts. The temperature average in Lower Egypt is 20°C in winter during day and 10c at night, and in summer it reaches 35c during the day and 23°C at night. As for Upper Egypt, the average temperature varies between 25°C max. and 8°C min., while in summer it reaches 41°C max. and 24°C min.

LANGUAGE

Egypt’s official language is Arabic, but foreign languages, such as English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish are also widely spoken, especially in educated circles.

CULTURE

Egypt enjoys a distinguished cultural heritage, accumulated over thousands of years, during which each of the Egyptian successive civilizations (Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic) contributed to the coherent entity of thinking, literature and arts. Because of its history, human capabilities and relations with Europe, Egypt has been a cultural pioneer in the modern age in the Arab world; the Egyptian writers, thinkers, authors, artists and musicians excelled in the Arab cultural production fields. Moreover, Cairo has always been the most active cultural capital in the Arab world, as the Egyptian cultural, literary and artistic life emerged early and it still flourishing.

The industry of media, cinema and arts, started early in Egypt, and today Egypt has more than 30 satellite channels, and more than 100 movies are annually produced. The Khedivial Opera House was the first opera house in the Middle East and the developing world.

TOURISM

Egypt is known throughout its history as a destination for tourists and travelers, since the visit of “Herodotus” in ancient times, to record his surprise at the vast differences between Egypt and his country. Also the discovery of the Pharaohs monuments since the last century has added a special charm to it, in addition to its unique religious and cultural monuments, its geographic location centering the world, the moderate climate in summer and winter, as well as the extended coast, and the treasures of the unique coral reefs at its beaches.

In this regard, Egypt relies on its many monuments which is the outcome of the diversity over the ages, such as the Pharaonic, Coptic, Roman, and Islamic civilizations.Egypt also overlooks the Red Sea to the East, which contains the purest water, and its seabed encompasses coral reefs, numerous fish, the shape of its coastline helped in the emergence of natural harbors, and its also has different water sports that attract tourists, such as scuba-diving and snorkeling.