About Egypt

Background   
    The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the East and West, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations.
A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the "Persians" in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and "Byzantines".
It was the "Arabs" who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the "Mamluks" took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the "Ottoman Turks" in 1517.  
 


Geography of Egypt    
  Location
     
        Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea North of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula.  
       Area  
       
    • Total: 1,001,450 sq km
    • Water: 6,000 sq km
    • Climate: Desert, hot, dry summers with moderate winters.
    • Average temperature :
    Summer from June to September - between 25-35°C
    Winter from November to April - between 10-20°C
    Spring & Autumn (rest of months) - between 15-25°C
     


     People of Egypt
     
      Population

       
    • Ethnic
    Eastern 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.
     


    Government of Egypt  
     
       
    • Country name: Arab Republic of Egypt (Egypt).

     

    • Local short form: Misr.

     

    • Local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah.

     

    • Government type: Republic. 

     

    • Capital: Cairo.

     

    • Administrative divisions: 30 governorates.

     

    • Legal system: Based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions) accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.

     

    • Flag description: Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield super imposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band.
     


    Egypt Time  
     
     
    • GMT + 2hours During Winter & GMT + 3hours During Summer  
     
      Phone Codes:  
        Egypt Country Code: 2
    Codes for major Cities: Cairo: 02 & Alexandria: 03.
    • When calling a city from outside Egypt, remove the "0" in front of the local code. The country code is 00 (20) plus Cairo local code (02) - becomes 00 (202).
     


    Egypt Currency  
     
      Currency  
     
        Egyptian Pound (EGP; symbol E£) = 100 piaster. Notes are in denominations of E£100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50piastres and 25 piaster. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25, 20, 10 piasters.
     
      Currency Exchange  
     
        Available at banks, official Exchange houses and most hotels. Banks often have better exchange rates than hotels. All common international currencies are accepted.
     
       
    • Exchange rate indicators: http://touregypt.net/money/
    • Credit & debit cards (ATM machines 24/7)
    American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and Visa are accepted,
    but only bigger hotels or restaurants in Cairo and restaurants in
    tourist areas will accept credit cards as payment. Check with your
    credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and
    other services which maybe available.
    • To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to
    • take traveler's cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.
    • Banking hours: Sun -Thur 08:30 -14:30.