Egypt is a breathtaking country with millennia of history and some of the most outstanding landscapes in the world. The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. Now, Egypt is where East meets West – a country of thousand contradictions where ancient traditions and modern technologies live together. A welcoming, truly tolerant country, where everybody can feel at home. - Country name: Arab Republic of Egypt
- Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km
- Population: 80,335,036 (2007 est.)
- Capital: Cairo
- South Sinai Governorate Capital: El Tur
- Red Sea Governorate Capital: Hurghada
- Total Coastline: 2,450 km
- Climate: desertic: hot, dry summers with moderate winters
- Highest peak: Mount Catherine 2,629 m (Sinai)
- Ethnic groups: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%
- Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%
- Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes, other European languages widely spoken in the Red Sea Riviera destinations
- Currency: Egyptian Pound (abbrev. LE = Livre Egyptienne), locally also called “guinea”. 1 LE = 100 piasters.
- Time: GMT + 2
- More information from the Egyptian Tourist Authority
|