Chapter 8Chapter 8

EgyptEgypt

EgyptEgypt

Country nameCountry name: : Arab Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of Egypt, Egypt Egypt

CapitalCapital: Cairo: Cairo LocationLocation: : Northern Africa, bordering the Northern Africa, bordering the

Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Peninsula

Border countriesBorder countries: : Gaza Strip, Israel, Gaza Strip, Israel, Libya, SudanLibya, Sudan

Government typeGovernment type: republic: republic PopulationPopulation: : 74,718,797 (July 2003 74,718,797 (July 2003

est.). Most populated in the Arab est.). Most populated in the Arab world, and the second (after Nigeria) world, and the second (after Nigeria) in Africa. in Africa.

LanguagesLanguages: : Arabic (official), English Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by and French widely understood by educated classes educated classes

ReligionsReligions: : Muslim (mostly Sunni) Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6% 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%

GDP – per capitaGDP – per capita: : purchasing power purchasing power parity - $parity - $4,000 4,000 (2002 est.) (2002 est.) (134(134thth in in the world) the world)

IndustriesIndustries: : textiles, food textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons, construction, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals cement, metals

CurrencyCurrency: : Egyptian pound (EGP) Egyptian pound (EGP) (CIA, World Fact Book)(CIA, World Fact Book)

Important FactsImportant Facts

One of the top destinations (with One of the top destinations (with Saudi Arabia and United Arab Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) in Middle EastEmirates) in Middle East 4,9 million international tourist arrivals4,9 million international tourist arrivals $3,8 million international tourism $3,8 million international tourism

receipts (the highest in the region) receipts (the highest in the region) (WTO, 2003)(WTO, 2003)

CoastlineCoastline: : 2,450 km 2,450 km TerrainTerrain: : vast desert plateau vast desert plateau

interrupted by Nile valley and delta interrupted by Nile valley and delta

ClimateClimate: : desert; hot, dry summers desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters with moderate winters (CIA, World (CIA, World Fact Book). Egypt is dominated by Fact Book). Egypt is dominated by sand and water. Nearly all Egypt is sand and water. Nearly all Egypt is desert, except the area along the desert, except the area along the Nile River where 95% of the Nile River where 95% of the population live around. population live around.

Selling PointsSelling Points

The Pyramids and the Sphinx, the The Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Cairo, ancient temples, museums, Cairo, ancient temples, museums, churches, casinos, Nile cruises, spas, churches, casinos, Nile cruises, spas, desert culture and scuba diving.desert culture and scuba diving.

Very Brief HistoryVery Brief History

in 3050 BC, the first Pharaoh united in 3050 BC, the first Pharaoh united Upper and Lower Egypt and started an Upper and Lower Egypt and started an empire legendary with its elaborate empire legendary with its elaborate tombs, magnificent pyramids and tombs, magnificent pyramids and hieroglyphshieroglyphs

in AD 640, Arabs invaded Egyptin AD 640, Arabs invaded Egypt Ottomans, French and British invaded the Ottomans, French and British invaded the

country as wellcountry as well in 1953, Egypt won its full independence in 1953, Egypt won its full independence

CairoCairo

populated (9 million people live), populated (9 million people live), polluted, beautiful, with traffic jam polluted, beautiful, with traffic jam and world famous treasuresand world famous treasures

Egyptian Museum (the prime Egyptian Museum (the prime attraction for tourists; thousand year attraction for tourists; thousand year old mummies are displayed in old mummies are displayed in oxygen-free cases; the contents of the oxygen-free cases; the contents of the tomb of the Tutankhamen; artifacts tomb of the Tutankhamen; artifacts from the Greek and Roman periods) from the Greek and Roman periods)

Khan-el Khalili Bazaar (winding streets Khan-el Khalili Bazaar (winding streets with shops and stalls and carts)with shops and stalls and carts)

Mohammed Ali Mosque and Alabaster Mohammed Ali Mosque and Alabaster Mosque (fine examples of Islamic art Mosque (fine examples of Islamic art and architecture)and architecture)

some other attractions include;some other attractions include; Museum of Islamic ArtMuseum of Islamic Art casinoscasinos a museum detailing the making of papyrusa museum detailing the making of papyrus the Coptic quarter (several million the Coptic quarter (several million

Egyptians are Coptic Christians)Egyptians are Coptic Christians) the Operathe Opera

GizaGiza

a suburb of Cairoa suburb of Cairo The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx are The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx are

located here (though most photos make located here (though most photos make them appear that they are out in the desert, them appear that they are out in the desert, they are actually at the edge of Cairo)they are actually at the edge of Cairo)

The Great Pyramid (the biggest one; 5000 The Great Pyramid (the biggest one; 5000 year-old; built for Cheops; built of 2,5 million year-old; built for Cheops; built of 2,5 million blocks of stone; its engineering still amazes)blocks of stone; its engineering still amazes)

The Sphinx (located just off to the side of the The Sphinx (located just off to the side of the Great Pyramid; mystery for scientists, since Great Pyramid; mystery for scientists, since no one knows when or why it was built) no one knows when or why it was built)

SaqqaraSaqqara

very close to Cairovery close to Cairo The Step Pyramid of Zoser (one other The Step Pyramid of Zoser (one other

famous pyramid, much older than the famous pyramid, much older than the Giza pyramids) and a number of Giza pyramids) and a number of interesting tombs (which has more interesting tombs (which has more impressive artwork compared to the impressive artwork compared to the Great Pyramid)Great Pyramid)

ruins of Memphis (once the largest ruins of Memphis (once the largest and the most important city of Egypt; and the most important city of Egypt; has an imposing statue of Ramses II)has an imposing statue of Ramses II)

LuxorLuxor

most important destination in Egyptmost important destination in Egypt The Valley of the Kings and the Valley of The Valley of the Kings and the Valley of

the Queens (final resting places of the Queens (final resting places of ancient Egyptian royalty; the tombs ancient Egyptian royalty; the tombs spread out over quite a large area)spread out over quite a large area)

The Colossi of Memnon( two enormous The Colossi of Memnon( two enormous seating statues at the entrance of the seating statues at the entrance of the valley)valley)

The colors and the artwork on the walls The colors and the artwork on the walls are very impressiveare very impressive

one of the best known tomb is the one of the best known tomb is the young Tutankhamen (discovered young Tutankhamen (discovered with its treasures; contents are with its treasures; contents are displayed in the Cairo Museum)displayed in the Cairo Museum)

Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak (incredibly impressive Karnak (incredibly impressive structures with statues and structures with statues and colonnades)colonnades)

Abu SimbelAbu Simbel 3200 year-old temple3200 year-old temple four huge statues of Pharaoh II facing the four huge statues of Pharaoh II facing the

NileNile marvel of repeated engineering; first it marvel of repeated engineering; first it

took 25000 workers 25 years to carve it took 25000 workers 25 years to carve it into a mountainside, then (due to the into a mountainside, then (due to the completion of the Aswan High Dam in completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1960, it was in danger) stone by stone, it 1960, it was in danger) stone by stone, it was moved to a higher ground where first a was moved to a higher ground where first a mountain similar to the one it was taken mountain similar to the one it was taken out had to be constructed (the international out had to be constructed (the international effort was headed by UNESCO) effort was headed by UNESCO)

AlexandriaAlexandria

beautiful atmosphere; relaxed beautiful atmosphere; relaxed Mediterranean feelMediterranean feel

more cosmopolitan than Cairomore cosmopolitan than Cairo Nice contrast with the ancient ruinsNice contrast with the ancient ruins Greco-Roman Museum (the displayed Greco-Roman Museum (the displayed

items which are dated from 300 BC to items which are dated from 300 BC to AD 300 maybe considered modern by AD 300 maybe considered modern by Egyptian standards)Egyptian standards)

a causeway leads from the city to the a causeway leads from the city to the island of Pharos (once the site of the island of Pharos (once the site of the Great Lighthouse, one of the Seven Great Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)Wonders of the Ancient World)

Mersa Matruh (the resort with good Mersa Matruh (the resort with good beaches, excellent reef diving and beaches, excellent reef diving and turquoise water)turquoise water)

AswanAswan

fairly modern, pleasant city at the end fairly modern, pleasant city at the end of the rail in Upper Egypt of the rail in Upper Egypt

Two islands in the Nile are the main Two islands in the Nile are the main attractionsattractions Elephantine (has two old authentic Elephantine (has two old authentic

villages)villages) Kitchener’s island (also called Botanic Kitchener’s island (also called Botanic

island, has tombs and attractive gardens)island, has tombs and attractive gardens) Aswan High Dam Aswan High Dam

Nile CruisesNile Cruises

easiest way to see the major sites in easiest way to see the major sites in EgyptEgypt

the cruises range from five-day “felucca” the cruises range from five-day “felucca” (sailboat) trips from Aswan to Luxor, to (sailboat) trips from Aswan to Luxor, to two-weeks luxury cruises from Cairo to two-weeks luxury cruises from Cairo to AswanAswan

generally ships cruise between Luxor generally ships cruise between Luxor and Aswan; the trip between Cairo and and Aswan; the trip between Cairo and Luxor is a long one which may be boring Luxor is a long one which may be boring

Red Sea ResortsRed Sea Resorts The resorts along the Red Sea, Gulf of The resorts along the Red Sea, Gulf of

Suez and Gulf of Aqada offer diving, Suez and Gulf of Aqada offer diving, snorkeling, fishing and desert scenerysnorkeling, fishing and desert scenery

Hurghada (one of the best established Hurghada (one of the best established resort area, has beautiful crescent-resort area, has beautiful crescent-shaped bay, rugged mountains, great shaped bay, rugged mountains, great beaches, offshore coral reef)beaches, offshore coral reef)

Sinai Peninsula Sinai Peninsula Sharm el Sheikh (year-round resort area, Sharm el Sheikh (year-round resort area,

offers deluxe accommodations, and water offers deluxe accommodations, and water sportssports

Taba (expensive resort on the Israeli Taba (expensive resort on the Israeli border, offers eater sports, tennis, border, offers eater sports, tennis, nightclubs)nightclubs)

Nuweiba (on the Gulf of Aqada, offers Nuweiba (on the Gulf of Aqada, offers superb sand beaches and water sports)superb sand beaches and water sports)

The Sinai DesertThe Sinai Desert

East of the Suez CanalEast of the Suez Canal Much more beautiful than the Much more beautiful than the

Western Desert which covers most Western Desert which covers most of Egyptof Egypt

Its terrain is rugged and rocky with Its terrain is rugged and rocky with dunes reaching Mediterranean dunes reaching Mediterranean

Air and land tour are possible from Air and land tour are possible from Cairo and Eilat (the resort in Israel)Cairo and Eilat (the resort in Israel)

Mt Horeb (believed to be Mt Sinai Mt Horeb (believed to be Mt Sinai where Moses received the Ten where Moses received the Ten Commandments)Commandments)

St Catherine’s Monastery (has a St Catherine’s Monastery (has a large library of early Christian large library of early Christian manuscripts and relics; built on the manuscripts and relics; built on the site of Moses’ burning bush)site of Moses’ burning bush)

Things to RememberThings to Remember

heat and the amount of walking heat and the amount of walking required to see the important required to see the important attractions in Egypt may be attractions in Egypt may be bothering. Carrying a bottle of water bothering. Carrying a bottle of water around would be a good idea.around would be a good idea.

traveling in a group may be much traveling in a group may be much safer.safer.