Fact File: Egypt

Egypt the Land where the River Nile flows! Throughout you will see the fields of wheat, sugar- cane and palm trees. Roads in Egypt are fenced by lovely orchards, which are surrounded by high mud- brick walls. You can wake up to the cooing of turtle doves and other exotic birds or take a walk in the lush environment edged by lemon, banana, and mango trees. The vines of beautiful roses will take you to a different world altogether. Egypt is a land of rich greenery and fragrant air! The land of camels and sand cats is a land of contrast, you have The Nile flowing and just beyond you have the huge Sinai mountains; you have the scorching desserts and you also have the snow- capped mountains. Egypt the land of pharaohs and pyramids will startle you with its culture and monuments- you have so much to see in Egypt that you will want to come here again and again.

Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa and covers an area of 386,000 square miles. Only about 5% of the country is inhabited along the banks of the Nile whose course stretches over 900 miles from the Mediterranean in the North to the Sudan in the South. To the West lies Libya and to the East are the desert plateau, Red Sea and Sinai. Egypt's most fertile area is the Nile Delta. Cairo, Egypt's capital has 16 million inhabitants, and Alexandria, the country's second largest city, has a population of 5.5 million.

including the plateau extending from the Nile Valley to the Red Sea, and The Sinai which includes Mount Catherine, Egypt's highest mountain, reaching 8,668 feet.

about 68 percent of the country's total territory. It extends from the Nile Valley to the Libyan borders, and from the Mediterranean coast to the Sudan.

Egypt's main inhabited area. This fertile valley is a strip 7 to 9 miles wide along the Nile and some 6,000 square miles in the Nile Delta. The Nile's total length in Egypt is about 900 miles.

Recorded history in Egypt began around 4,000 B.C. when B.C. nomadic hunters settled in the Nile Valley. But it was in 3,100 B.C. that Egypt crowned her first Pharaoh, Menes, who later unified the country's two regions, Lower Egypt (The Delta) and Upper Egypt (from Giza to Aswan in the South).

The Egyptian Government: Egypt is called the Arab Republic of Egypt. The system of government is democratic presidential. The president is nominated by the People's Assembly composed of 350 members and approved through popular referendum. He serves a 6 -year term and may be re-elected for further terms of office.

In 2003, Egypt's population totaled 70million. About 90% of Egyptians are concentrated in the fertile Nile Delta and live in 5% of the country's territory - 44% in urban areas and most in some 4,000 villages. However, during the past few years, there has been an urban migration. The Egyptians are outgoing, warm and have a distinct sense of humor. They have respect and a liking for foreigners, and a deep sense of tolerance for other races, religions and nationalities.

Arabic is Egypt's official language. However, most Egyptians understand and speak English and French. In larger towns, the foreign visitors will encounter no difficulty in communicating with the people.

Autumn and winter are the ideal seasons to visit Egypt when mild weather prevails; temperatures vary between 60 and 80 Fahrenheit. Evenings are cool. During April, an occasional hot sand wind blows which can make sightseeing less enjoyable. The summer months are hot, 80 - 105; however, the air is dry and humidity low. In Alexandria, on the Mediterranean, the months of December through February are rainy and cold. October to April represents the best time, with water temperatures of 60 to 70 F.

Approximately 85 percent of the population of Egypt is Moslems. Most of the balance, about 9 million, is Christian Orthodox who belongs to the Coptic Church. In most cities in Egypt, mosques and churches can be found next to each other. There are also some synagogues since a small Jewish community still lives in Egypt.

 Before the 1952 revolution, Egypt's economy depended mainly on agriculture. Since then, however, the country has developed its other natural resources, and at present Egypt exports oil, finished textiles, canned food, cars, and the Suez Canal is considered an important source of revenue as an average of 70 ships cross it daily and pay fees. .Tourism is a main part of the economy. In an effort to increase its cultivable land, the country is using new irrigation methods, and in parts of the desert new cities have been built.

Visa requirements:Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travelers just traveling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.

You can gather more details on obtaining a visa for Egypt by visiting: www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk

 The basic unit of currency is the Egyptian pound divided into 100 piasters. Banknotes: 25, 50 (piasters), 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 (Egyptian pounds). Silver coins: 5, 10, 20 piasters. Fluctuating exchange rate stands now approximately at one U.S. $ = 6 Egyptian pounds.