Egypt

From Imakoopedia

Egypt is a country located in north-eastern Africa. Bordered by the Mediterranean and Red Seas (to the north and east respectively) and geographically dominated by the mighty Nile river and its valley, Egypt (together with its southern neighbour Sudan) is best known as the home of the ancient Egyptian civilization, with its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and - visible above all - its pyramids. Egypt stimulates people's imaginations of western tourists like few other countries and is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations world-wide.

Table of contents

1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 Climate 4.2 Terrain 5 Get in 5.1 By plane 5.2 By train 5.3 By car 5.4 By bus 5.5 By boat 6 Get around 7 Talk 8 Buy 8.1 Money 8.2 Shopping 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 12 Learn 12.1 American University in Cairo 12.2 Language 13 Work 14 Stay safe 15 Stay healthy 15.1 Fluids 15.2 Sun 16 Respect 17 Contact 18 Cope 18.1 Laundry 19 External Links

Regions

Egypt can be divided into a number of convenient regions for the traveler:

• Cairo - the capital of Egypt and its surroundings, including Giza, Memphis, Saqqara, Abusir and Dashur.
• Alexandria, Egypt's city by the Mediterranean Sea
• the Delta region, where the Nile meets the Mediterranean, the extreme north of the country
• Middle Egypt
• Luxor - amazing temples and temples, the Valley of the Kings
• Upper Egypt, a string of amazing temple towns located on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan
• Aswan - the relaxed alternative to Cairo and Luxor
• Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel - two great monuments, one modern, one ancient
• the Western Oases - five pockets of green in the midst of the Western Desert, each with their own unique attractions
• the Red Sea Coast - luxury beach resorts, diving and marine life
• the Sinai Peninsula - rugged and isolated, with fascinating relics of the past

Cities

• Cairo - the capital of Egypt, home to the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and fabulous Islamic architecture
• Alexandria - Egypt's window on the Mediterranean
• Luxor - gateway to the Valley of the Kings, amongst other fabulous attractions
• Aswan - a more relaxed option, full of amazing sights

Other destinations

• Abu Simbel
• Amarna
• Beni Hasan
• Dahab
• Dendera

Understand

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 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 by Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially 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.

Climate

Egypt is largely desert, an extension of the great Sahara Desert that bands North Africa. But for the thin strip of watered land bordering the river Nile, very little could survive here As the ancient Greek historian stated: "Egypt is the gift of the Nile".

Generally, dry and very hot summers with moderate winters - November through to January are definitely the most comfortable months for travel in Egypt. There is almost no rain in the Nile valley, so you won't be needing wet weather gear! Do bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a sturdy hat however!

Terrain

Vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta.

Land use 

arable land: 2.85%
permanent crops: 0.47%
other: 96.68% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land 

33,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards 

periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms

Environment - current issues 

agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources

Environment - international agreements 

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note 

controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees

Get in

By plane

Egypt has at least two main international airports, located at Cairo (Heliopolis) and Luxor.

A number of charter airlines also fly direct to resort towns and locations like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh

By train

By car

By bus

Egypt can be accessed by bus from a number of neighbouring countries, such as Israel (from the bus stations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv) and Jordan.

By boat

Get around

Waterways 

3,500 km
note: including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water

Ports and harbors 

Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez

Talk

The official language of Egypt is the Egyptian dialect of Modern Arabic. Few travellers will have difficulty finding someone with whom to communicate.... English is widely spoken, especially in tourist centres, followed by such other languages as French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. The pressure to cater for tourists has driven language acquisition in all the main cities and tourist areas - you will find many Egyptians keen to practice their English with you! Make an effort to share some new words or gentle corrections, and be a good ambassador for the West....

Buy

Money

The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), often written as as LE.

As of early November 2004:

• $1 US Dollar = LE 6.23
• £1 British Pound = LE 11.45
• €1 Euro = LE 7.94
• $1 Australian = LE 4.67
• $1 Canadian = LE 5.11

Shopping

Egypt is a shopper's paradise - especially if you're interested in Egyptian-themed souvenirs and kitsch, of course. That said, a number of high quality goods are to be had, often at bargain prices. Some of the most popular purchases include:

• Antiques (NB: not antiquities, the trade of which is rightly illegal in Egypt)
• Carpets and rugs
• Cotton goods and clothing
• Inlaid goods, such as backgammon boards
• Jewellery
• Leather goods
• Music
• Papyrus
• Perfume
• Sheeshas (water-pipes)
• Spices - can be bought at colourful stalls in most Egyptian markets. Dried herbs and spices are generally of a higher quality than that available in Western supermarkets and are, of course, much, much cheaper (up to 4 or 5 times cheaper, though the final price will depend of bargaining and local conditions).

Eat

Egypt can be a fantastic place to sample a unique range of food, its not too spicy though is well flavoured with herbs. For a selection of Egyptian staple food try Felfelas restaurant, either central Cairo or on the edge near the Giza Pyramids. The saddest thing is that since I first ate there back in the 1980's the restaurant has changed its style slightly to satisfy the tourist palate.

The best meal I ever had in Egypt was in the backstreets of Hurghada, a fish shop near the port which also cooked the catch. I went with wife and kids and just said make us happy. We were, the freshest fish, old benches to sit on with a communal table and company who were more interested in us an dteh kids than their meals, but a meal we still remember!

Drink

Bottled water is available everywhere, the most common brand being Baraka - drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration in Egypt's dry climate.

Egypt is a predominately Muslim nation and alcoholic drinks are, of course, forbidden (haram) for strictly observant Muslims. That said, Egyptians tend to adopt a relaxed and pragmatic view towards alcohol for non-Muslims and foreigners L it is tolerated by the vast majority of Egyptians and consumed by a sizable number of them (including less strict Muslims - you may even be asked to "procure" drink for someone!) Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks are readily available throughout the country (especially in larger towns and cities, as well as tourist centres). Please note, however, that public drunkeness (especially the loud and obnoxious variety) is definitely not appreciated - without caution, you may end up drying out in a police cell. Try to be a good ambassador: if you must get "tipsy", confine it to the hotel or very nearby! (It's actually quite rare to see drunken tourists, even in the most intense tourist areas...)

Stella Beer, it's great! Ptolemy Wine - don't! (Seriously, Egyptian wines don't compare to vintages elsewhere - you may develop a taste for it though!)

It should be noted that many hotels and bars in Egypt will stop serving alcohol during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan - phone ahead to make sure alcohol is still being served in order to avoid disappointment.

Sleep

Learn

American University in Cairo

The American University in Cairo (http://www.aucegypt.edu) (AUC), one of the best universities in the Middle East, offers degree, non-degree and summer-school study options. Popular courses include Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Art and Architecture, Arab History and Culture, and (of course) Egyptology (http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/sape/Egy/Egyptology.htm).

Language

There exist a number of viable options for acquiring Arabic as a language in Egypt (other than picking it up from the locals):

• the Arabic Language Institute (http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/ali/), a branch of AUC, offers intensive courses at a variety of levels.

• the British Council (http://www.britishcouncil.org.eg) in Cairo offers colloquial and classical Arabic courses through its Arabic department, occasionally mirrored at the Alexandria branch

Work

Stay safe

Stay healthy

Fluids

Ensure that you drink plenty of water: Egypt has an extremely dry climate most of the year - a fact aggravated by high temperatures in the summer end of the year - and countless travellers each year experience the discomforts and dangers of dehydration. A sense of thirst is not enough to indicate danger - carry a water bottle and keep drinking! Not needing to urinate for a long period or passing very small amounts of dark yellow urine are signs of incipient dehydration.

Egyptian tap water is generally very safe, though it does sometimes have an odd taste due to the high chlorine content added to make it so.... This has a good side-effect in making tap water reasonably effective for washing fruit and vegetables. Bottled mineral waters are widely available - the local brands, such as Baraka and Siwa, are just as good as expensive imported options. Beware of the old scam, however, whereby vendors re-sell bottled water bottles, having refilled with another (perhaps dubious) source.... Always check the seal is unbroken before parting with your money (or drinking from it) and inform the tourist police if you catch anyone doing this....

Be a little wary with fruit juice, as some sellers may mix it with water. Milk should also be treated carefully as it may not be pasteurised.... Try only to buy milk from reputable shops. Hot beverages like tea and coffee should generally be OK, the water having been boiled in preparation.

Sun

Wear sunscreen, wear a hat and bring good sunglasses - it's bright out there!

In order to avoid contracting the rightly dreaded schistosomiasis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schistosomiasis) parasite (also known as bilharzia), DO NOT swim in the Nile or venture into any other Egyptian waterways (even if the locals are doing so.....) It is also a good idea not to walk in bare feet on freshly-watered lawns for the same reason. Seek medical attention immediately if you think you may have been exposed to the parasite - DO NOT wait until returning to your own country!

Respect

The local people are generally more respectful of women who are modestly dressed (by Egyptian standards), although in Luxor for example women were able to go out in skimpier holiday clothes and did not attract too much attention.

If you want to appear married when you're not - travelling with your boyfriend for example - simply wearing a wedding ring and claiming to be married isn't enough to convince some Egyptians. Married Egyptian women tend to wear only black or dark clothing - particularly in public - so if you can face the heat then copy their style and wear loose fitting, modest dark garments and you should be more convincing as a respectable married woman!

Contact

Egypt has a reasonably modern telephone service including a mobile service. Principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta.

There are a number of internet providers. Most tourist towns, such as Cairo and Luxor, boast a plethora of small internet cafés - you won't need to look far!

Cope

Laundry

There are a number of options for washing clothes whilst travelling in Egypt:

By far the easiest, most practical - and not at all expensive - is to arrange for your hotel to have your washing done for you. By prior arrangement, clothes left on the bed or handed in at reception will be returned to you by evening freshly laundered and pressed.

Determined self-helpers can persist with hand-washing or finding one of the many "hole-in-the-wall" laundries where the staff will wash and press your clothes manually - a fascinating process in itself!

Cairo possesses a few basic Western-style laundromats in areas where foreigners and tourists reside - they are virtually nonexistent elsewhere in the country. Some hotels in tourist towns like Luxor and Dahab offer a washing machine service in a back room - the machines are usually primitive affairs and you'll be left with the task of wringing and ironing your clothes yourself.

The moral of the tale?: Do yourself a favour, maximise your quality time in Egypt, and get the hotel to do your laundry for you!!

External Links

• Ancient Near East .net - Ancient Egypt (http://www.ancientneareast.net/egypt.html) - provides a convenient listing of online guides to archaeological sites in Egypt