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| Topography |
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| Egypt consists of 1.000000qm², most of which are desert. The inhabitable part of the country is the valley of the Nile, cut into the limestone of the surrounding deserts, and the river delta, which is formed by two arms of the Nile, in ancient times seven. The Nile valley is covered with a mile thick stratum of mud deposited by the river during millennia which makes the country incredibly fertile. |
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Besides, there are numerous oases in the Western desert, the larger of which are populated as well, and the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts.
The Western desert was the bottom of a sea much larger than the Mediterranean long before the advent of man, and fossils of sea creatures can still be found in some places. Even during the Neolithic time this area was still habitable with a savannah-like appearance and giving sustenance to the animals now found farther south in Africa. Rock glyphs in the desert show hunters stalking giraffes, or ostrich. |
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| Population |
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In Egypt app. 80 million inhabitants populate 1 million km2.
76 millions are living along the Nile ( 10% of the area of Egypt ). 0.5 million are living in Sinai (0.065 % of the area of Egypt).
1 million are living in the Eastern desert (20% of the area of Egypt).
2.5 million are living in the Western desert (69.9 % of the area of Egypt). |
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The main population is of Semito-Hamitic origin and mixed with the descendants of conquering Arab tribes, especially in the Eastern Nile delta.
Other groups are the Nubians who were forced to abandon their former homeland due to the construction of the High Dam. Some of them live in Sudan, but the larger part in and around Aswan. They are a hamitic people without a written language and used to live on smallholdings subsidized by hunting and fishing.
Bedouin tribes are found in the desert and in Sinai. The Bedouin population of Egypt distinguishes 27 tribes: 8 tribes in Southern Sinai, and 9 other tribes in Northern Sinai; 5 tribes in the Eastern desert, 4 tribes in the Western desert.
Bedouin population in these areas amounts to approximately 200,000 individuals.
Bedouins have traditionally occupied the Sinai peninsula, women graze their sheep and goat herds and men go fishing. NFO staff in co-operation regulates activities that are likely to damage habitats or reduce their behavior style with concerned Bedouin. Bedouin culture has been founded on strict tribal laws and traditions. Nature is respected, water is consumed sparingly, small water reservoirs are constructed on hillsides to assist wildlife, the relationship between coral reefs and fisheries is clearly understood and damage to reef areas is limited. |
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| Language & Religion |
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All Egyptians speak Arabic, which is a Semitic language with an alphabet of 28 letters; besides the formal Arabic there are several local dialects.
Also, there are two other language groups:
1st The Nubian languages, namely Mahasi and Kenusi. 150000 people are native to this language and they live in the southern part of Egypt, mainly near Aswan.
2nd Berber languages, like the dialect spoken around Siwa oasis. 2000 people are native to this language and they live in Siwa and Ein Garah. |
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Egypt is basically an Islamic country, but nevertheless 9% of population are Christians. Most of them are Coptic Orthodox, but there are also Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Christians and Protestants.
Ramadan customs forbid Muslims to eat and drink from sunrise to sunset during the Holy Month. This does not apply to non-Muslims. Museums and temples are open until the early afternoon only. |
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| PASSPORTS AND VISAS |
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| EGYPT REQUIRES A VISA, together with a passport valid for 6 months past the date of entry. Visas will be issued upon arrival in Egypt for passengers holding a U.S. passport. Passengers with other passports must obtain a visa in advance of arrival in Egypt through the Egyptian Consulate. |
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