The Facts
Capital: Cairo
Currency: Egyptian Pound
Time Zone: GMT +2
www.egypttravel.net
Introduction
Spanning two continents Egypt is the stage for one of the greatest civilisations the world has ever known.
When King Menes unified the two states of Upper and Lower Egypt in 3150 BC he gave rise to a series of dynasties that would last the next three millennia. Modern day Egypt preciously guards the remaining results, some of the world's most famous monuments. Four times the size of the UK and the third most populated country on the African continent it is around the River Nile that Egyptian life revolves. Millions of tourists arrive every year to cruise its waters and marvel at the many ancient sites; pitched perfect pyramids, beautiful temples like Karnak as well as resplendent tombs like Luxor's Valley of the Kings. It's the teaming waters of the Red Sea that attracts Egypt's other visitors. Hurghada, Sharm el Sheik and Dahab offer some of the planet's most pristine dive sites, complete with the dramatic backdrop of the Sinai mountains.
Where To Go:
Egypt is located mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge into western Asia. It borders 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 and covers an area of about 1,010,000 square kilometres.
What To Eat & Drink:
- Most Egyptians consider Kushari, rice, lentils, and macaroni, to be the national dish. A topping of Egyptian garlic and vinegar and spicy tomato sauce (salsa) and caramelized onions are commonly added as a garnish.
- Malukhiyah has been known as a popular food in Egypt since the time of the Pharaohs, a stew served with rice made from Mallow-Leaves, (the leaves from the Corchorus plant).Ful Medames are mashed fava beans used to make falafel in contrast to elsewhere in the Arab world, where chickpeas are used for the dish.
- Bread forms the backbone of Egyptian cuisine. The local bread is a form of hearty, thick, glutinous pita bread called Eish Masri or Eish Baladi.
- Kebabs or kofta are popular and usually made of lamb, chops or minced meat on skewers grilled on charcoal.
- Egyptians are famous for stuffing spicy rice in vegetables like green pepper, aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes to make Mahshi
Shay bil na'na' is mint tea.
- Zibib is an alcoholic aniseed-flavoured drink- the Egyptian version of Ouzo.
Unmissable Egypt
5 things you really should do in Egypt
1. Put the sails up
No river can rival the Nile for conjuring images of the exotic where ancient history and mythology seem almost to be overflowing. Explore the past on this epic waterway by stepping aboard a Felucca- one of Egypt's traditional sailboats.
www.experience-egypt.com
2. Wonder at the world
Visit the Pyramids, one of the ancient wonders of the world. The Great Pyramid of Giza, also called Khufu's Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids and contains a staggering 3 million blocks of stone.
www.explore.co.uk
3. Be a tombraider
Thanks to the expert excavations that have been undertaken at many of Egypt's ancient sites you won't need to literally dig deep. Instead visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, one of the country's most popular attractions, where you can unearth legendary delights like the Tutankhamun exhibition.
www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg
4. Be Dazzled
See the Sphinx by night when light and laser shows illuminate this extraordinary monument, half lion, half woman.
www.city-discovery.com/cairo/tour.php?id=2046
5. Find your oasis
Head out into the desert and visit one of Egypt's six oases. Dhakla has hot springs whilst at Siwa, the most remote, you can really get away from it all.
www.egypt-uncovered.com
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