Egypt

Egypt is known for Pyramids and ancient civilization. It plays a central role in Middle East politics in modern times. The fact is that it was one of the first Middle Eastern countries to open up to the west following Napoleon’s invasion. Consequently, Egypt evolves to be the intellectual and cultural leader in the region. Egypt is now in deep crisis. People are in streets calling for its top leader, Hosni Mubarak, to step down and demanding for political reform. There are widespread anti-government demonstrations across the country. Protestors are swelling each day on Cairo’s Tahrir Square and dropping back overnight.

Egypt is a country in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Gaza strip and Israel to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west. The country is located on the bank of the Nile River.

Egypt comprises 29 governorates and each governorate has a capital. These governorates are further divided into regions, containing towns and villages.

Egypt experiences moderate climate, hot or warm at days, cool and nights. Temperature commonly ranges an average minimum 14⁰C in winters and average maximum 30⁰C in summers. Egypt receives 80mm rainfall, except coastal regions reaches 200mm, annually in most areas.

Egyptian capital Cairo is the permanent headquarters of the Arab League.

Arabic is widely spoken in Egypt. The Egyptian immigrants use languages like Greek, Armenian and Italian.

Egypt is a Muslim country and Islam is its state religion. However, there are two major religions of Egypt: the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Al-Azahr University.

Egyptian press: Al Ahram, Al Ahram Weekly, Al Jumuriyah, Al Akhbar, Al Ahali, Al Wafad, Al Messa, The Daily News Egypt, The Egyptian Gazette, Egypt Today, etc. the leading Egyptian agency is Middle East News Agency (MENA).

There are over 17,060,000 Internet users in Egypt i.e., 21.2% of the population, according to MCIT (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology).

Egypt is known as a destination for tourists all over the world. Travellers experience Egypt’s geographical, historical and cultural tourism, which comprise unique, unrepeated and non-competitive component of tourism. Egypt possesses one third of world’s known monuments.

But situation has become awfully tense in Egypt. For, tourists have started fleeing the country. Experts expect recovery soon however. They say once President Mubarak resigns, the condition will improve in Egypt. But maverick Mubarak seems yet reluctant to stand down any time soon.