Egypt is probably the world’s oldest civilization having emerged from the Nile Valley around 5,100 years ago, historically. 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 and it is a cultural experience.
Egypt is a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement. It links two continents, stretching across the north-eastern corner of Africa and the south-western edge of Asia.
The country is approximately 626,000 square miles (1,000,000 km²) in size. Its longest distance north-south is 640 miles (1,025 km) and widest distance east-west is about 775 miles (1,240 km). Egypt’s 62 million people live primarily in the Nile Valley, leaving the rest of the land sparsely populated. Cairo, the largest city in Egypt, is estimated to have a population of over 15 million people which is growing at a very fast rate.
Location:
In northern Africa; east of Libya, north of Sudan, west of the Red Sea, and south of the Mediterranean Sea
Area: 386,660 square miles – 1,001,450 square kilometers.
Coastline: 2,450 km
Official Name: Arab Republic of Egypt.
Capital: Cairo – Pop: 15,892,400 (Metro Area), 7,937,700 (city proper)
Population: 76,117,421 (July 2004)
Language: Arabic is the official language. English and French are widely spoken.
Religion:
Islam is the predominant religion. All types of Christianity are also represented.
Currency:
The Egyptian Pound (E£) = 100 piastres (pt). Bank notes are issued in the following denominations: 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1.
Piastres coins: 25, 10, 5. Local banks deal with foreign currency and travelers cheques.
Longest River:
Nile, world’s longest river, 4,160 miles (6,690 kilometers); part crossing Egypt, from Sudan to Mediterranean, 650 miles (940 kilometers).
Largest Lake:
Lake Nasser (an artificial lake), about 2,300 square miles (6,000 square kilometers).
Climate:
Egyptian summers are hot and dry in most of the country and humid in the Delta and along the Mediterranean Coast. In recent years the humidity has spread to Cairo and the city swelters in August. Winters are mild with some rain, but usually there are bright, sunny days and cool nights. There is a short spring and fall.
Egypt’s Location within the North African desert belt, between the Mediterranean and the 23rd parallel north of the Equator, means that it is characterized by low annual rainfall as well as sunshine throughout the year (about 315 days of sunshine). Within Egypt, there is the contrast between the coastal Mediterranean climate and the hot dryness of the interior, however in these desert areas there is a sharp of contrast between day and night temperatures. The winter months of January and February can be quite cool especially in the area of the Delta and the Mediterranean. However, the further south one goes, the higher the temperature and the lower the humidity will become.
