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| Country |
Egypt |
| Capital |
Cairo |
| Location |
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula. 27 00 N, 30 00 E
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| Area |
1,001,450 sq km |
| Population |
76,117,421 |
| Currency |
Egyptian pound (EGP) |
| Time Zone |
GMT + 2 hrs |
| Language |
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes |
| Calling Code |
+20 |
| Religion |
Muslim, Christian and others |
| Climate |
Desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters. |
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Introduction to Egypt
For many, the scope of Egypt's history is difficult to comprehend. Its history covers some five thousand years, and encompasses the origin of civilization, the rise of the Greeks and Romans, the establishment of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions, the colonial era when first France and then the English ruled the country, and finally, a return to independence. Egypt has played an important role through all of these eras, and today one can find monuments that evidence Egypt's role in most of the world's historic events, from the beginning of mankind until the present. More and more, we are not only learning about the history of mankind in Egypt, but also about his prehistory, the way that he migrated and finally began to organize communities that eventually lead to a civilized world.
In Egypt, we find the earliest detailed records of warfare recorded thousands of years ago, but we also find the cemeteries and monuments of the world's last global war, World War II. In Egypt, we find some of the first written words of civilization, but we also find great thinkers and writers through the Greek period, into the Christian era, the archaic Islamic period and even modern Nobel Literates. In Egypt, we find ancient pyramids and giant columns supporting massive temples, but we can now find these architectural elements spread throughout the world. Here, along with the first monumental buildings made of stone, we also find the first paved roads, the first wines and beer and even the first peace treaties between organized governments. However, we also find the world's first scientists, doctors, architects and mathematicians.
Egypt is our window to humanity's distant past and in understanding its history, we find both mankind's greatest glories and achievements, as well as his often repeated mistakes. We may follow along with the building of empires, only to see them collapse again and again. We find great men and rulers of renowned, but we often also see their ultimate demise.
And here, we learn about religion, its evolution and, as the world grows older, its replacement with newer religions. Yet, the ancient Egyptian religion has never really completely died out. Even today, many Egyptians continue customs, including some aspects of religion, held over from thousands of years ago. In fact, throughout the world, aspects of the ancient Egyptian religion, particularly funerary, continue to effect our modern lives.
We hope you enjoy our efforts to bring Egyptian history and its monuments to your fingertips. Here one will find just about every aspect of ancient Egypt, from culture to people, from monuments to knowledge. Take the time to understand ancient Egyptian history, and we feel certain you will find, within this knowledge, a better understanding of this modern world in which we live.
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Cairo
Situated in the north of Egypt , Cairo is bisected by the broad River Nile and is Africa's largest city as well as Egypt's capital and spiritual heart. Cairo's skyline mixes minarets and palm trees with art deco buildings and multi-coloured neon. Cairo has a unique atmosphere bustling with excitement, and five thousand years of culture to explore and experience. At Cairo's centre is Tahrir Square on the east bank of the Nile , where many of the big hotels and the Egyptian Museum (housing the treasures of Tutankhamun) are located. To the east is the medieval Islamic quarter with an array of mosques, the Citadel and the Kahn el Khalili bazaar, and to the South lies Old Cairo. Old Cairo houses the site of a Roman tower, the city's oldest mosque, church and synagogue.
The main shopping streets are near the Egyptian Museum but the huge Khan el Khalili bazaar, dating to the 14 th Century AD, is a must for souvenirs and an authentic atmosphere. There are various city and museum tours on offer, climb the 590 ft high Cairo Tower for panoramic views of the city, visit the Islamic Arts Museum or Pharaonic Village to mention just a few of the attractions. Local excursions are available to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza , village of Harraneya (for locally made tapestries and carpets), antiquities at Memphis and Sakkara , Fayoum Oasis, Suez , the port of Alexandria and, of course, your trip to Egypt would not be complete without a camel ride around the Pyramids. Cairo by night combines the charm of the East and the arts of the West. There are theatres, cinemas, restaurants and night clubs. Dinner cruises along the Nile are very popular and do not miss the history of the Pyramids and the glory of the Pharaohs presented in the Sound and Light Show.
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Hurghada
Hurghada lies 300 miles southeast of Cairo and 170 miles northeast of Luxor on the east coast where the desert meets the Red Sea. Hurghada, in Egypt, is noted for its magnificent summer and winter climate and its coral reefs and spectacular subtropical fish make this location a major resort for diving and water sports. Hurghada is backed by a distant range of saw-toothed mountains which provide the perfect backdrop of amazing sunsets. Hurghada, originally an oil town with a little fishing, has three main areas. The central town, known as El Dahar, is accessible on foot for shopping and nightlife, on the east facing shore is El Sakala with its old port, and south of this lies a 15 mile strip of hotels situated between the coast road and the beach. Hurghada is a specialist scuba-diving destination and it also attracts serious windsurfers. There are numerous water sports activities on offer plus horse riding, camel rides, bowling, tennis and squash. There is also an Aquarium which houses wonderful marine life. Hurghada is the area's best site for underwater photography and fishing, especially for shark, barracuda, swordfish, mullet and grouper.
You can really relax here and just enjoy the beach, sea and sun or even bargain for gold in the main bazaar. Local excursions include desert safaris, boat trips (some glass-bottomed) to look at coral reefs and marine life, and trips to Luxor or Cairo . There is a cruise service which connects Hurghada with Sharm El Sheikh. For evenings, after watching the beautiful sunset, hotels provide Egyptian folklore shows and showgirls and there are restaurants, bars and discos.
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Luxor
Luxor is situated on the east bank of the River Nile and is the world's greatest outdoor museum for awe-inspiring monuments. Ancient Greeks and Romans came to see its wonders, making Luxor one of the oldest tourist destinations. The east bank is completely flat and gives Luxor splendid views across the river to a cultivated flood plain and the impressive bare hills of ancient Thebes, where the tombs and mortuary temples of the pharaohs are located. Luxor is made up of three different areas. The City of Luxor has Luxor Temple with the old town behind. The attractive main street, called the Corniche or promenade, has been sensitively developed with the main hotels and great shops. Bordering the city is Karnak with the site of the massive Karnak Temple and, a boat ride away, on the west side of the river, is Thebes, where most of the antiquities, tombs and ancient temples are found.
Luxor is a typically colourful and bustling Egyptian experience of amazing sights and old-world hospitality. Whether you want a winter resort or history and culture you won't be disappointed with Luxor in Egypt . Take a felucca (traditional sailing boat) along the Nile , see the city from a hot-air balloon or try a round of golf at the 18-hole golf course. Local excursions include tours to the Valley of the Kings , Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Queens (including the impressive tomb of Queen Nefertari), Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Ramasseum, Temple at Dendera and Esna and Temples of Seti I and Ramses II at Abydos . Walk through history, shop at a souk, ride in a horse-drawn caleche or take a sunset cruise. Luxor in Egypt is a real holiday experience. For nightlife you could try one of the good quality local restaurants, there is themed dining (with folklore shows) or a disco on a boat. A visit to Luxor in Egypt would not be complete without seeing the breathtaking Sound and Light Show; at Karnak Temple- this is a real must.
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Nile cruise
Cruise the spectacular River Nile, in Egypt , and experience its enthralling sights. Once the ancient playground of the Pharaohs, the River Nile flows north from the cataracts in Aswan, to Luxor's temples and then onto Cairo, city of a thousand minarets, and the sea.
The banks of the River Nile are littered with ancient monuments, tombs and villages that haven't changed since biblical times. This is really an experience of a lifetime! A Nile cruise is a wonderful way to discover the jewels that Egypt has to offer. Travel in style and comfort with your camera at the ready. Amongst the awe inspiring places you can visit are Karnak Temple, one of the greatest and largest temples in the world, the extraordinary Luxor Temple, Thebes with the unmissable Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Valley of the Queens, the well preserved Edfu Temple, Esna Temple, Kom Ombu Temple, Aswan, Abu Simbel, regarded as one of the finest temples in Egypt and the romantic island Temple of Isis at Philae.
Our Nile cruises are on luxury cruise boats with the comfort of modern facilities. All Nile cruises are accompanied by a qualified Egyptologist who will be on hand to guide you through the excursion programme. Most major excursions are included in the price of your cruise with additional optional excursions available for purchase. Your Nile cruise operates on a full board basis with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Souvenirs can be purchased on board as well as during your trips and excursions. Relax and unwind on a Nile cruise and watch Egypt with its magical atmosphere drift by. Witness sensational sunsets, world famous monuments and see first-hand the country that created one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known.
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Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh is located on the east side of the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, on the Gulf of Aqaba coast. Sharm el Sheikh, in Egypt, has virtually guaranteed sun and a dry atmosphere and these, together with the unusually warm waters, unique forms of marine life and spectacular coral reefs make this a perfect winter-sun, beach and scuba diving holiday destination. Sharm el Sheikh, originally an ancient fishing village, has now spread to cover a strip of coast 30 miles long. The old town (known as downtown Sharm) has many ethnic sights still on view, shops and genuine Arab bazaars and a large market area, but Na'ama Bay is the main area for tourist hotels and activities. Sharm el Sheikh's main shopping street is the pedestrianised El Sharm Mall and there are glitzy enclosed malls on the main road. There is an attractive pedestrian path separating the hotels from the beach. The beach has parasols, sunbeds, bars, restaurants, water sports centres and crazy golf. In the southwest corner of the bay are shops, restaurants, small hotels and dive centres.
Daytime activities include scuba diving, snorkelling, water sports, camel rides, horse riding, there are quad bike and bicycles for hire, golf at the 18 hole Movenpick course, and bird spotting. Local excursions are available to several places in the Sinai Desert including the St Catherine's Monastery (site of the burning bush from the Bible) and Mount Sinai (source of the Ten Commandments), desert safaris and camel treks, Ras Mohammed National Park, cruises to Tiran Island, overnight trips to Cairo and Luxor and "Bedouin Nights" which include a meal. For the evening there is an excellent choice of restaurants, casinos, discos and nightclubs. Finish the day off with a cocktail and watch the beautiful Egyptian sunset over the rugged saw-toothed mountains in the distance.
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Immediamedia
