EGYPT
- Population: 74.9 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Cairo
- Area: 1 million sq km (386,874 sq miles)
- Major language: Arabic
- Major religion: Islam
- Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 72 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Egyptian Pound = 100 piastres
The Arab Republic of Egypt is among the world’s famous destinations for culture, people, and legacy. Egypt is among the few nations on the planet that provide us modern civilizations a window to antiquity. An audience with the pyramids and a gaze at the elaborately detailed temples gives reassurance and confirmation of how real it all is. Yet, the pyramids are but the icing on the cake. While the Pyramids of Giza and Memphis are iconic of Egypt’s fame worldwide, it isn’t even among the first places I’d suggest you see only because there is so much more wonders, so much more enticements. This is the Land of Pharaohs, of the 10 Plagues, the setting of Moses’ great bible story of liberation…this is without compare, Egypt.
Still, the world remains without a hint that Egypt is an Arab Republic, that Egypt is the Asia in Africa materialized and vice versa. Egypt is a testimony of the existence and achievements not only of the ancient but the modern world as well. She is a beautiful place with even more beautiful faces. This is a country of greater political stability than others in the region, although Egypt is never without strife, to be sure. The setting for an Egyptian smile, nowhere could a place be as fun, exciting, and grand all at the once. Be warned that it’s rather difficult to get a private and sacred experience with the flock and herds of tourists grazing its sacred soils. The tourism people have been immensely effective despite strongly worded warnings set for Sinai Peninsula at the first quarter of 2010 that advise against terrorist attacks.
GEOGRAPHY
Egypt (27 00 N, 30 00 E) is a 1,001,450 km2 of landmass in Northern Africa attached to Israel via the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is twice the size of Spain, and four times to that of the UK. The landscape is mostly vast desert plateau, except for the Nile Valley and Delta, where 99% of the population dwells. The Mt. Catherine is the country’s apex standing tall at 2,629 metres, and the Qattara Depression at -133 metres is its nadir.
CLIMATE
Only 5.5% of Egypt is inhabited because of its arid/desert climate. Summers are hot (27-32 °C), but springs are hotter (38°C) because of the Khamaseen wind that blows from the south and raises the temperature thus. At the Red Coast, temperatures are hottest at a smoking 43°C. Winters are mild and among the best time to visit because of the mild and refreshing temperatures of 13-21 °C in the company of little rainfall.
PEOPLE
As a result 99% of the 80,471,869 Egyptians (2010 estimate) stuff themselves in 55,000 of land while around 940,000 km2 is bare and deserted. Egyptians remain the largest ethnic group with a demographic of 91% of the total population. The minor ethnic groups include Bedouin Arabs, Nubians, Turks, Greeks, and Siwis. Apart from these, Egypt is host to refugees mostly from Sudan, the largest group, then Palestine (70,000), and Iraq (150,000).
LANGUAGE
ARABIC (Egyptian Arabic) is Egypt’s first and official language. ENGLISH (British) is widely spoken and understood, as once a British colony, just like FRENCH. Although, most people speak English and French, most locals would appreciate should the traveller effort to communicate in ARABIC.
RELIGION
As an Arab State, Egypt is largely Muslim by faith with 90% adherents and the rest are Christians of the Coptic faction and Jews. Freedom of religion is paradoxically not without limitations especially in reference to church building and open worship. Christians and Jews remain victims of sporadic attacks as much as unorthodox Muslims such as Shia and Sufi Muslims are. Non-Sunni Muslims experience great persecution and discrimination in the workplace.
ATTRACTIONS
Religion is never without turmoil anywhere that is for certain, albeit, these hostilities are masked behind a face of Egypt that is rich in history and stories, culture, and food. When in Egypt, the traveller would really like to explore the possibilities and the beauty, not the ugly- like the legendary Pyramids of Giza. The Sphinx is a 50×20 metres of awe-inspiring and impressive construction. And while there are movies like The Mummy, it’s still easy to underestimate the massive proportion of these things…only when really in Egypt. On the inside, 100 euros less richer, more than a room, it becomes clear how the pyramids are a haven of solace for the greatest kings the world has ever seen would continue their adventures towards the afterlife.
FOOD
Yet, this isn’t even what I’d suggest the traveller sees first. Cairo is the largest city in all Africa and home of both ancient and functional structures of Egypt. The Cairo Opera House is quite a sight. And it also renders good accessibility to the pyramids. Ancient Egypt was among the earliest civilizations with 6 millennia of recorded history, and with this the Library of Alexandria comes to mind, where now stands the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The Temple of Hapshepsut, Abu Tarek, as well as the 4th century BC Philae Temples, the Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings in Luxor all remain to be appreciated as much. The landmarks, hieroglyphics, elaborately adorned columns, mystical history, and fascinating sandy landscapes are the traveller’s to explore. Egypt, no less, presents chronic evidence that man can create beauty, wonder, and mystique in all sizes.
They didn’t call Egypt “land of sun worshippers” for nothing. In all its fun, exciting, and fantasy glory, the road less travelled to the red sand and dunes, or to the clear blue of the Red Sea resorts (in Dahab, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh), alternative travel fun can be had here. After all, there is 94.5% of uninhabited barren desert land for some serious sandbox fun like a jeep-and-quad extreme challenge. I’d like to call Egypt the land of possibilities for Egyptians are obsessed with fun and life. Why else did they build the pyramids for in the first place…so they’d live forever.
What cause to live are Egyptians fighting for? It must be the wonderfully aromatic Egyptian food, like beginning the day with a not-so-foolish ful, a warm steamy bowl of crushed fava beans, garlic, and olive oil with a serving of Egyptian flat bread called eish masri. Yes, that’s it! Eish translates to English as “to live”. Also, mashed fava beans are used in making Egyptian falafel versus the Mediterranean counterpart chick peas. Koshary is the Egyptian national dish, or so I think, because not only is it representative of Egyptian flavours, it also tells of the country’s story for a good thousand years now, with wonderful inclusion of the Spice Trade of course. A bowl of all things good and happy in the world, koshary or kushari consists of rice, noodles, lentils and beans with a douse of tomato-based sauce to your liking, and a splash of vinegar-and-garlic condiment. At least, I am certain it is Egypt’s #1 fast food, and like fuul, it is a healthy and tasty starch fest. Let it all set, and finish with a cup of coffee, and the traveller would have completed History 101.
Egyptians are a group of people who love their food for real. THIS here is an ancient civilization who from time immemorial paid workers’ wages in bread, beer, and onions. I mean…c’mon! You got to trust these people. There are so much more in Egyptian cuisine that will surprise anyone. All I can say, is if you’re vegetarian, you’re in the right country.
Desserts…pastries are soaked in sweet and simple syrups like basbousa and baqlava (they smell fantastic too!) Kunafah topped with thick whipped cream is super rich. Luqmat al-Qadi is as hard to spell as it is hard to resist. These are small round donuts that are crispy goodness on the outside but soft decadently syrupy on the in with a snow white dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar. Egypt also houses some western fast food chains like KFC and Pizza Hut, although I don’t see any reason for hitting those unless you’re a local. Still nowhere in the world can you have the view of the pyramids while enjoying your bucket meal and pepperoni pizza.
And if you know not one world-renowned Egyptian besides the diseased Cleopatra, Ramses, Nefertiti and King Tut, check out the great man with the same first and last names, Boutros-Boutrus Gali and his jocular interview with Ali G. He’s a charming chap, Boutros!
Josh Boorman
Editor-in-chief
Backpacking Addictz
Twitter: @backpackaddictz
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