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EGYPT 
Nominally independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile river in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt . A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure.
 General Information:
Location: |
Northern Africa , bordering the Mediterranean Sea , between Libya and the Gaza Strip
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Geographic coordinates: |
27 00 N, 30 00 E |
| Area: |
Total: 1,001,450 Sq km, L- 995450 Sqkms,Water-6000 Sq kms. |
Boundaries: |
Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km. |
| Climate: |
Desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters |
| Population: |
69,536,644 (July 2001 est.) |
| Capital: |
Cairo |
| 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 |
| Currency : |
Egyptian pound (EGP) |
CAIRO:
Cairo is the capital of Egypt (the largest city in Africa ), and no visit to Egypt is complete without a trip around this welcoming capital which literally teems with life. This is where all the exciting elements of Africa , the Orient and the sophistication of Europe become united, where old and new exist harmoniously side by side. To set the historical scene, visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square , which houses the finest collection of artefacts including the treasure of Tut-Ankh-Amun preserved for over 3,000 years as well as the wealth of Pharaonic, Islamic and Byzantine Art and sculpture. One of the most spectacular features of the museum is the newly opened Hall of Mummies. This hall is a superb example of "state of the art" display technology with carefully planned lighting within glass display cabinets and up to the minute air conditioning. Each mummy is identified and accompanied by a brief history indicating for example, the dynasty to which it belonged as will as the life span
ALEXANDRIA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST:
A notable summer resort in the Arab World, Alexandria is the shining pearl of the Mediterranean and the second largest city and main port of Egypt . Built by the Greek architect Dinocrates (332-331 BC) on the site on an old fishing village called Rhakotis (231 km from Cairo ), on the orders of Alexander the Great. Alexandria 's beaches with soft sands and magnificent scenery, stretch along the Mediterranean from Abu Kir in the east, to Sidi Abdul Rahman, in the west.
 OASIS
An oasis is formed from a depression in the desert, offering sulphur-rich springs, wells and trees - and provides a welcome respite from the harshness of the desert. This wonderful diversity of nature can be found mainly in the Western Desert - the most significant of which are Fayyum, Kharga, Dakhla, Paris, Farafrah, Behereya, Siwa and the Qattra DepressionEl Fayyum area is Egypt's most fertile oasis, located some 100 km south west of Cairo. Sportsmen are drawn by Lake Qarun , whose waters are full of fish. Between the autumn and spring there is duck shooting. Also, in the area Al Siliyin village with its amphitheatres and mineral water, the Queen's Pyramid and the pyramids of Amnemhet III and Senusert II.
SINAI AND THE RED SEA
The Sinai Peninsula dates back to the pharaohs, who in the beginning exploited the land for gold, copper and turquoise - the latter giving it the title "Land of Turquoise Sinai has two governorates dividing the administration into a northern part where the capital is Al Arish and the southern with Al Tor as its main administrative centre.
FOOD AND EATING OUT
Egyptian cuisine is excellent, combining many of the best traditions of Middle Eastern cooking. Elegant restaurants in major hotels and elsewhere, offer delicious Oriental selections. Otherwise, main cities and towns usually offer a wide choice of restaurants serving international cuisine. An excellent way to see Cairo and have a meal at the same time, is to visit Cairo Tower (Gezirah) which is over 180m high, and has a rotating restaurant and cafeteria form which you can enjoy the view.
ENTERTAINMENT
Floors shows and oriental dancing can be enjoyed at the larger hotels and private clubs. There are several theatres, although these mainly cater for Arabic productions. Egypt has a thriving film industry although cinemas also show Western-produced films. The magnificent 7-storey Opera House in the Gezirah Exhibition grounds is well worth a visit - if only to see this architectural masterpiece of Islamic design.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Of particular value and interest are jewellery with turquoise, copper, ivory and mother- of-pearl inlaid work. For the keen bargainer with the practised eye, genuine antiquities, old Coptic cloth and Muslims relics may be found. Ready-made clothing, such as a lady's khaftan, is plentiful but for something special, find a tailor to make you a genuine Egyptian ghallabia (traditional man's dress) from local cotton. Other popular purchases are paintings on antiqueted papyrus and reproductions artefacts. Rugs and carpets form Kerdassa and Harreneya can be purchased in the Governorate of Giza.
SHOPPING
In addition to more modern hops, every city and town has its local bazaar. The main area in Cairo is Khan El Khalili Bazaar - a veritable cornucopia of choice.Shopkeepers will expect you to bargain and will start this ritual by quoting an exorbitant price knowing that you will eventually buy something you believe to reflect more precisely the true value of the item.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Egypt is a photographer's paradise, the video cameraman's dream, with unforgettable scenes to be captured on tape. The majesty of the monuments, the bustle of the bazaars or the peaceful scenery of the Nile , will catch the imagination of the moment.
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