Geographical
Egypt is more than 1,000,000km². Its borders stretch from the Mediterranean in the north, where the Nile meets the sea, to the borders of Sudan, Libya and over the Sinai Peninsula to the borders of Israel and, by sea, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The Nile (the world's longest river with its 6,600 km) has created, through tens of thousands of years, a fantastic fertile landscape on its banks where approximately 95 % of Egypt's population lives.
Population
The population of approximately 60 million people is concentrated along the Nile, on 3.6% of Egypt's total area. 16 million people live in Cairo and its suburbs.
Economy
Egyptian economy depended mainly on agriculture. After the revolution the State focused its efforts on industrialization. In accordance with culture development. Egypt welcome Arab and foreign investors. Of the most important beneficiary sectors of this economic open door policy and investment stimulation is the tourism sector.
Religion
The official religion is Islam and the spirit of tolerance and amity prevails among the Egyptian people, Muslims and Christians.
Language
The official language is Arabic. A considerable percentage of the Egyptians command foreign language, foremost among them are English and French.
Currency
Egyptian currency : Egypt circulates the pound as currency . one pound is equivalent to 100 piaster. A visitor is only allowed to carry 1000 Egyptian pounds on arrival or departure.
Foreign currency: A tourist is allowed to carry amount of foreign currency , whether bills, travelers cheques, money orders, bank transfers or credit cards.
Business hours
Government office are open daily 8.30 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. except on Fridays and public holidays. Private ones: are open daily from 9:a.m till 5 p.m. except on Fridays and public holidays.
Banking
Banks open daily from 9.00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. Weekend is Friday and Saturday. Bank branches, in deluxe hotels and Cairo airport are open 24 hours. Foreign currency exchange offices are available in Egypt.
Shopping
Egypt is known for its world class handicrafts, carpets, leather ware and jewelers. Khan El Khalili bazaar is the most famous shopping center where tourists can pick gifts of Egyptian perfumes, herbs spices and carved wood.
Visa / Passport
Visitors to Egypt must obtain a tourist visa and have a passport that is valid for at least six months. The visa is available either from Egyptian consulates abroad or on arrival. the visa allows you to stay in Egypt for one month.
Transportation
RAILWAY: Cairo is connected with other Egyptian cities by a network railway s. most trains are air conditioned and provide food services and Wagons-Lits between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan
LIMOUSINE: limo services are available for transfers and pick up from the airports to the hotels and V.V.
Cloths
During summer you need light clothes. In winter, a coat or jacket will be needed in the evening. Comfortable shoes are a must. In the city centers, in mosques and churches clothes that are more conservative should be worn.
