Type: Africa
Egypt
General Information
History
This is just a very brief synopsis of Egypt’s past as it would take a lot more time and space to write about its full history. Egypt can be broken up into five main periods that give a basic understanding of its past.
- Period the Pharaoh’s: this period starts from approximately post 3,100 BC after Mena, an Egyptian ruler joined upper (the Nile Valley) and lower (the Nile Delta) Egypt. This is the time when the Sphinx and the Pyramids were built and the great Pharaoh’s of Egypt ruled.
- Greco-Roman Period: between 332 BC and 312 AD while the Persians ruled for a very short time. They were taken over by the Greek "Alexander the Great". At around 30 BC, the Romans took over the rule of the area.
- Christian Period: this is when Christianity was declared under the Roman’s rule in 312 AD.
- Islamic Period: around 640 AD Egypt was taken over by the Arabs who introduced Islam. In the 16th century Egypt became part of the Ottoman Turks. After World War I, the Ottoman Empire fell but the Turkish king was still the ruler of Egypt while it was under the protection of Britain.
§ Independent Egypt: By 1953, Egypt became the first Arabic republic in the Middle East.
Official holidays
- January 1st - New Years' Day
- January 7th - Coptic Christmas
- February 22nd - Union Day
- April 25th - Sinai Liberation Day
- May 1st - Labor Day
- June 18th - Evacuation Day
- July 1st - Bank Holiday
- July 23rd - Revolution Day
- September 11th - Coptic New Year
- October 6th - ArmedForces Day
- October 23rd - National Liberation Day
- October 24th - Suez Victory Day
- December 23rd - Victory Day
- December 25th - Christmas Day
Land Travel
Rail
Egypt has a regular train service travelling between all of the major towns within the country. The trains have a range of classes. Students and children (under 9) are discounted
Bus
Buses are available from and to all of the major towns.
Ferries
Ferries are available between Egypt and Sudan, Sinai and Jordan, and Sharm el-sheikh and Hurghada
VISAS & IMMIGRATION
Visas are required by all nationals except those of Malta and Arab countries.
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 13,106,043/female 12,483,899)
15-64 years: 62.6% (male 24,531,266/female 23,972,216)
65 years and over: 4.4% (male 1,457,097/female 1,955,235
Clothing
Egyptian summers are very hot, so loose, light clothing is best. Also sunglasses, a hat and good walking shoes are a must. As Egypt is mainly of Arabic culture women should show their bare shoulders or wear revealing clothes. This is especially true while visiting mosques and churches.
Capital
Cairo (30°2′ N 31°13′ E )
Largest city
Cairo
Official language(s)
Arabic (English and French are widely spoken.)
Government
President of Egypt
Hosni Mubarak
Prime Minister of Egypt Republic
Ahmed Nazif
Independence
Granted
28 February 1922
Declared From the United Kingdom
18 June 1953
Area
• Total
1,001,450 km² (30th)
• Water (%)
0.6%
Population
• As of 2005
77,505,756 (15th largest)
• Density
77/km² (93rd largest)
Schools
Children have to go to school between 6 and 12 years of age. State schools are free while private and religious schools are also available. After finishing Elementary school, children must pass an exam before moving on to Intermediate school. They are then able to move on to secondary or high school and finally University.
Ports and Harbours
Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez
GDP (PPP)
• Total
$282,333,000,000 (31st largest)
• Per capita 2004 estimate
$4,072 (115th largest)
Money
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound, with 100 piastres make 1 Egyptian pound. Traveller’s checks or cash can be exchanged at Banks, American Express offices or Thomas Cook offices. Bank, Visa, MasterCard’s, etc. can also be used in the major cities; cash will be needed for the more remote areas. The maximum amount of Egyptian currency that can be brought in or out of Egypt is 1,000 Egyptian pounds. Banks are usually open Sunday to Thursday from 8:30am to 2:00pm.
Time zone
Summer (Daylight Savings Time) Eastern European Time (UTC +2)
Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3)
Calling code
+20
Electrical Power
Electric Power:
220V, 50Hz
Round pin attachment plugs
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