Egypt Information

If ever there is a place in the world that is rich in the lore of ancient gods and the magic of the supernatural, it is Egypt! The very name conjures up visions of mighty Pharaohs and kingdoms and a land without horizons! Egypt, a country in North Africa, was the cradle of one of the greatest civilizations of the world. Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, The Gaza Strip and Israel in the northeast, the Red Sea in the east, Sudan in the south and Libya in the west, this country possesses an area of 627,600 square miles and has a population of about 76 million, mainly living on the banks of the River Nile.

History

This country showcases 5000 years of a civilization that left its mark on our history. Great kings and even conquerors like Alexander and explorers like Thomas Cook have been fascinated by Egypt. Also called “Kemet” because of the rich fertile black soil that is deposited by the Nile, earlier periods had kings and pharaohs like Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Akhenaten and his beautiful wife Nefertiti, Tutankhamun and Ramses II who added to the splendor of the country by building beautiful palaces, monuments and tombs that are a part of the world’s heritage!

Cities

Here follows a description of some of the most interesting cities in Egypt: is the country’s capital city. Its soaring minarets form an imposing skyline. Visit the temples of Luxor and the majestic tombs of the kings that attract tourists from all over the world. During trudging through the labyrinth of dusty ruins in Garden City, you will be amazed at the architecture of the mansions. Cairo stretches along both the banks of the Nile and is also called “The Victorious”. [location:335]Alexandria is famous because it was a major trade centre. Its ancient library had 500,000 volumes and the Pharaoh’s Lighthouse was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. A great place to visit with good cafes around the bays where you can actually go searching for sunken treasure! Eat in restaurants like Al-Shark, Athineos and Awalad Abdou, where delicious sandwiches and tea can be whipped up for you in a second! Aswan is on the banks of the Nile decorated with beautiful palm-fringed islands. White sailed feluccas dot the coast making it very picturesque. Aswan’s folk dance troupe performs the Nubian Tahtib (stick dancing) and songs that depict village life, this is done between October and March. Bahariya Oasis is surrounded by the black desert and Pyramid Mountain where dinosaur remains have been unearthed. Glide through the Nile on a boat and admire the impressive Graeco-Roman temples that line the banks at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Lush sugarcane and corn fields and the Temple of Horus the Elder and Sobek majestically overlook the Nile at Kom Ombo. Esna is an ancient city where the awesome columned Temple of Esna built of red sandstone is situated. This city is located on the west bank of the Nile and has a bustling market that attracts tourists.

Culture

The flooding of the river Nile helps to replenish the soil of the banks and consistent harvesting of crops is done throughout the year by the large amount of inhabitants that live on the banks of the Nile. Egyptians are proud of the fact that they have 6000 years of recorded history. Egypt has the highest number of Nobel Laureates in the Arab World and Africa. Vernacular poetry is very popular among the Egyptians and many Egyptian books and films are now available in the Middle East.

Sights and Activities

Some of the most amazing sights of Egypt include: The Necropolis of Al-Bagawat with 263 mud-brick Christian tombs, some of which have beautiful biblical murals and ornate facades are fascinating. If you can stand the overpowering smell, and all the animals, a visit to Birqash Camel Market, which is Egypt’s largest, is an unforgettable experience. Ismailia’s town centre has imposing colonial streets. The 19th century villas with lush lawns make it one of the most attractive and elegant neighborhoods. Visit the Coptic monasteries of St Anthony and St Paul. These are inspiring and ‘must-see’ sights! Sitting in one of Alexandria’s cafes drinking tea while you watch the passing boats is a wonderful past time.

Climate

Egypt has a hot and dry climate except for the winter months of December to February when it is pretty cold in the north and otherwise more pleasant than the summer months of July to September. The desert regions have extreme weather –unbearably hot in the day and freezing at night. The Khamsin blows during March and April.

Green Egypt

Egypt has its share of greenery in the form of its lush fields and farms on the banks of the river Nile. Though a vast part of Egypt is a desert, there are oasis’s with lush vegetation, palm trees, and palm groves. Rice paddies, date plantations and cotton fields are abound near the fertile area of the Nile Delta on the Mediterranean Coast.

Sustainable Egypt

The SFD (Social Fund for Development) was created with a view to eradicate all hardships created by the First Gulf War that caused Egyptian workers to return. SFD focuses on projects involved with sustainable development. SEKEM (Ancient Egyptian: vitality from the sun) was founded by Dr Ibrahim Abouleish to help a cultural renewal on a sustainable basis in Egypt. This organization has biodynamic farms, medical and vocational training centers etc. that are interested in restoring and maintaining the fertility of the soil and at the same time conserve the biodiversity of nature through organic and sustainable agriculture.

Practical Information

• Language: Arabic

• Currency : Egyptian Pound

• Vaccination: An International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Booklet) is mandatory for countries that need proof of yellow fever vaccination. Other vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and hepatitis B are required

• Visa: If you have not already organized a visa in advance, US$ 25 will get you a visa stamp on your entry into Egypt.

• Best Travel Period: The winter months of December to February are the best, as the summer months of July to August are too hot, except on the coast.

• Transportation: Egypt Air provides good and reliable domestic flights to major destinations from Cairo. Traveling by boat is still popular in Egypt and The Nile River System and its main canals are easy to navigate. Trains are a safe mode of transport and the Cairo Metro is efficient. The Egyptian National Railways runs from Alexandria to Aswan. The Alexandria Port, Port of Said Port and the Suez Port are important ports in Egypt.