|
Facts
about Egypt
|
Capital |
Cairo (15,000,000) |
|
Second
Largest City |
Alexandria (5,000,000) |
|
Population |
70,712,345 (July 2002 est.) |
|
Area |
Total:
1,001,450 sq km (land: 995,450 sq km - water: 6,000 sq km) |
|
Sex
Ratio of the Population |
Total
population:
1.02 male(s)/female (2002 est.) |
|
Waterways |
The Nile
(6 690 km from the source to the mouth, 940 km in the territory of
Egypt) |
|
Highest
Land Point |
Mount
Catherine 2,629 m |
|
Head of
State |
President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK |
|
Languages |
Arabic
(official), English and French widely understood by educated classes |
|
Religions |
Muslim
(mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6% |
|
Currency |
1
Egyptian pound = 100 piastres |
|
Independence |
28
February 1922
(from UK) |
|
National
Holiday |
Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) |
Geography
Egypt is an immense desert crossed from
South to North by the Nile. It is thanks to the Nile and the silt it
deposits on its banks and in the
Nile
Delta which
made it
possible
for
the Egyptian population to live in this country. The fertilization
of the
soil that
makes it possible to practice agriculture. However, these cultivable grounds
account for only 4% (36.000 km²) of the surface of Egypt.
For many years and even until 1971, the Nile could be a source of
happiness or misfortune. Indeed, the river overflowed twice a year and
caused serious damage if the rising were too
considerable. Despite everything, the
population waited impatiently
for
this moment
that brought fruitfulness
to the
soil.
In 1971, the construction of the high stopping of Aswan put an end to this
disaster dependence. Since this date, the water of the Nile is retained in
the lake Nasser, a vast artificial
lake.
It contributes to regularly providing
water to the population but also hydro-electric energy to all the country.
The Nile is thus a very
important element in the life of the Egyptians. All depends
on this river that generates the life of the country. Formerly venerated
like a god, it is appreciated less nowadays. It is the Nile that does for
Egypt as regards its landscape. It is when one flies over the country in a
plane which
shows
one the
best differences. Vastly extending sand punctuated
with dunes to a place with green and unexpected vegetation near the river.
This narrow strip of land constitutes only one weak space, hardly a few
hundred meters (in high Egypt) and a score of kilometres close to Cairo.
After having crossed the
capital, the river is divided into two branches;
that of Damiette in the east and that of Rivet in the west. These two
branches form a triangle: the Delta of the Nile. The Nile separates
therefore the country in 2 pieces more or less identical for essentially
constituted by the desert. To the west of the Nile is located the Libyan
desert with sand and small rocky mountains. Alone some oases (Siwa, Fayoum,
Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga) give to this rather hostile place a
little life. To the east is located the eastern desert,
scarcely
populated and inhospitable with the exception
of the seaside station of Hourghada, a paradise for the amateur divers.
Climate
In
regards to the climate of the country, the average temperatures is of 16.5°C
in the winter and of 30°C in summer with of big differences of temperatures
between Alexandria in the north and Aswan
in the south, as can be seen from the chart below. The more pleasant time
to visit Egypt is during the winter (from November to March).
|
Monthly average minimum and maximum temperatures in ºC |
|
|
J |
F |
M |
A |
M |
J |
J |
A |
S |
O |
N |
D |
|
Alexandria |
18 |
19 |
20 |
24 |
27 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
28 |
24 |
20 |
|
9 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
22 |
23 |
21 |
17 |
14 |
11 |
|
Cairo |
19 |
21 |
23 |
28 |
32 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
33 |
30 |
25 |
20 |
|
9 |
10 |
12 |
15 |
17 |
20 |
22 |
22 |
20 |
18 |
14 |
10 |
|
Luxor |
23 |
25 |
27 |
35 |
39 |
41 |
41 |
40 |
39 |
35 |
29 |
24 |
|
5 |
7 |
10 |
16 |
20 |
23 |
24 |
23 |
21 |
17 |
12 |
7 |
|
Hourghada |
21 |
22 |
24 |
28 |
31 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
32 |
30 |
26 |
22 |
|
10 |
11 |
14 |
18 |
21 |
25 |
26 |
26 |
24 |
21 |
16 |
13 |
|
Aswan |
21 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
39 |
41 |
41 |
40 |
39 |
38 |
28 |
24 |
|
8 |
10 |
14 |
19 |
23 |
25 |
26 |
26 |
24 |
20 |
15 |
11 |
Egypt is a country where
it rains very rarely. Nevertheless, it can be that some showers do
fall in the winter in the North of the country (Alexandria and The Cairo).
In the spring, however,
it is necessary to distrust the Khamsin, a burning
desert
wind that
causes
sand whirlwinds.
A
little advice: If you wish to visit Egypt, it will be necessary for you to
take light and ample clothing in cotton (avoid the nylon because of the high
temperatures). In the winter, think of a sweater for the fresh
evenings. Despite the heat, avoid such clothing as shorts, mini
skirts, dresses (cut low) to take you in city; you would risk being poorly accepted.
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