Egypt

Egypt

area:	1,001,450sq km (386,660 sq mi)
population:	67,786,300
capital (population):	Cairo (7,764,700)
government:	Republic
ethnic groups:	Egyptian 99%
languages:	Arabic (official), French, English
religions:	Islam (Sunni Muslim 94%), Christianity (mainly Coptic Christian 6%)
currency:	Pound = 100 piastres

Republic in ne Africa. Egypt is Africa's second most populous country (after Nigeria), and its capital, Cairo, is Africa's largest city. Alexandria is Egypt's largest port. Most of Egypt is desert and almost all the people live either in the Nile valley and its fertile delta, or along the Suez Canal, a vital artificial waterway between the Mediterranean and Red seas. The region n of Cairo is often called Lower Egypt; s of Cairo, Upper Egypt. On the Sudanese border, s of the Aswan High Dam, lies Lake Nasser.

Egypt has three other, largely uninhabited, regions: the Western (Libyan) and Eastern (Arabian) deserts (parts of the Sahara), and the Sinai Peninsula, which contains Egypt's highest peak, Gebel Katherina, at 2637m (8650ft).

Climate and Vegetation

Egypt is a dry country, and sparse rainfall occurs in winter. It has mild winters and hot summers. The Nile valley forms a long, green ribbon of fertile farmland. Dry landscape covers 90% of Egypt; the Western Desert alone covers c.75%.

History and Politics

The Egyptian state was formed (c.3100 bc). The Old Kingdom saw the building of the pyramids at Giza. The ruins of the Middle Kingdom's capital at Luxor bear testament to Egypt's imperial power (see Egypt, ancient). In 332 bc, it was conquered by Alexander the Great and the capital moved to Alexandria. After Cleopatra, the Roman empire was dominant. In ad 642, Egypt was conquered by the Umayyad dynasty, who were supplanted by the Abbasids. Arabic became the official language and Islam the dominant religion. Under the Fatimids, Cairo became a centre of Shi'ite culture. Saladin's rule (1169–93) was notable for the defeat of the Crusades. His dynasty was overthrown (1250) by Mameluke soldier slaves.

In 1517, Egypt was conquered by the Ottomans, who ruled for nearly three centuries. Egypt was occupied (1798–1801) by Napoleon I. France was expelled by Muhammad Ali, who established the modern Egyptian state. The construction of the Suez Canal (1867) encouraged British imperial ambitions. Britain subdued Cairo (1882) and the British army remained even after Egypt became an independent monarchy under Fuad I (1922). Fuad was succeeded by Farouk (1936–52). The creation of Israel (1948) saw the involvement of Egypt in the first of the Arab-Israeli Wars. In 1953 the monarchy fell, and Gamal Abdal Nasser led (1954–70) the new republic. Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal (1956) was briefly contested by Israel, Britain and France. In 1958, Egypt, Syria and Yemen formed the short-lived United Arab Republic. Nasser promoted Egypt as leader of the Arab world. Egypt was defeated by Israel in the Six-Day War (1967). Nasser was succeeded by Anwar Sadat. After defeat in the Yom Kippur War (1973), Sadat signed the Camp David Accord (1979) with Israel. Israel withdrew from Sinai (1982). Egypt was expelled from the Arab League and Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extremists.

Hosni Mubarak became president (1981– ). A state of emergency has been in force since 1981. Mubarak led Egypt back into the Arab League (1989) and improved relations with the West. In 1992, Muslim fundamentalists re-launched an armed struggle. Terrorist attacks included the massacre of 58 tourists in Luxor (1997), damaging the vital tourist industry.

Economy

Egypt is Africa's second most industrialized country (after South Africa), but remains a poor developing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$3600). In return for rescheduling its foreign debt, Egypt has undertaken privatizations. Farming employs 34% of the workforce. Egypt is the world's second-largest producer of dates. Buffalo and cotton are also important. Textiles are the second most valuable export (after oil).

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.touregypt.net