| Area |
1,002,000 sq km (386,874 sq miles). |
| Population |
67,886,000 (2001). |
| Capital |
Cairo (El Qahira). - population 7,388,000 (2002). |
| Climate |
Hot, dry summers with mild, dry winters and cold nights. Rainfall is negligible except on the coast. In April, the hot, dusty Khamsin wind blows from the Sahara. |
| Language |
Arabic is the official language. English and French are widely spoken. |
| Religion |
According to the 1986 census, over 94 per cent of the population follows Islam; the majority of the rest is Christian. All types of Christianity are represented, especially the Coptic Christian Church. There is also a small Jewish minority. |
| Time |
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from May to September).
|
| Highlights |
Egypt's fascinating 6,000 years of history give visitors a remarkable insight into one of the oldest and best preserved civilisations in the world. Whilst in Egypt - a sail down the Nile on a Felucca boat can only be described as one of the most mesmerizing trips one can embark on! Archaeological marvels in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan such as the Great Pyramids, Temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel are some of Egypt's most outstanding attractions. The Red Sea provides some of the most exciting snorkelling and diving experiences in the world.
|
| Country Facts |
Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean to the north, Sudan down to the south, Libya in the west and the Red Sea and Israel on the eastern side. The country is unevenly divided in two by the river Nile. Along with Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley and China, Egypt was one of first centres of the civilised world. 6,000 years of recorded history remain evident in the Egypt of today. Monuments dating back to the earliest pharaohs still stand as lasting testaments to the ancient Egyptians' inventiveness and skill. Egyptian culture has survived wars, invasions, ancient and modern grave robbers and vandals. The arid desert has managed to preserve a feast of Egyptian culture for future generations to enjoy, and one cannot help feeling only the tip of the iceberg has been unveiled to date. The awesome splendour of Egyptian culture is as strong today as it was in Julius Caesar's and Napoleon's days. Visitors from all over the globe will always be drawn towards Egypt as surely as the Nile continues to run through the northern delta into the Mediterranean Sea. |