Egypt
Welcome to Egypt. This website covers Egypt's geography, culture, history, government, and economy. Egypt was home to one of the world's oldest and most influential civilizations and was a leading center of learning and culture for thousands of years.
Welcome to this website in Egypt. I'm Mignon, and I made this page for my history assignment to help me revise some interesting things about this interesting Middle Eastern nation. My research would have to be a detailed investigation of Egypt's geography, culture, history, government, and economy.
For collection of data, I used a multi-source localization with academic books, articles, and trustworthy websites. Reading references such as Schwedler (2020) Understanding the Contemporary Middle East and the reports issued by the international organizations further enriched my understanding of Egypt’s position in the region and beyond.
I have learnt how the great history, old civilization, the customs and religion, its strategic location, the many beautiful landscapes, it history of science, art and many other cultures mold Egypt today. I also developed research, writing, and website design skills with Google Sites. I can only hope this website will assist educate other like-minded individuals who want to know more about Egypt.
Thank you for visiting!
Geography
Geographically, Egypt lies in the northeastern corner of Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south. With an area of about 1,000,000 square kilometers (390,000 sq mi), Egypt is the 30th largest country globally. The Sahara Desert, which covers most of the country, makes arable land rare and is limited to areas adjacent to the Nile River Valley and Delta.
Egypt's most important natural resource is the world’s longest river, the Nile. It provides water for agriculture, drinking, and industry, serving most of Egypt’s 100-plus million population. The climate is mostly hot and dry, with long summers and mild winters. Among other environmental issues, Egypt is dealing with water scarcity due partly to upstream dam developments in the Blue Nile region. It has suffered from high air and water pollution, urban waste, and uncontrolled building developments.
Egypt is a harsh desert with only a few arable areas; however, it has one of the largest developing economies in the Muslim world and abundant petroleum, natural gas, and phosphate reserves. Overland, the major urban centers of Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria are found in the Nile Delta.
Culture
Egyptian culture is a rich tapestry, woven from the unique combination of social, scholarly, and cultural influences in Egypt. The great majority of Egyptians are Muslims, primarily Christian Arabs. Yet several ethnic minorities, such as Nubians and Bedouins, have made their imprint on the national mosaic.
Egyptian society is, to some extent, religious. Islam is the majority religion, followed by some 90% of the people, mainly Sunnites (Sunni Muslims). There is also a significant minority of Christians, mostly Coptic Orthodox Christians, whose unique traditions have been kept for centuries.
Family, hospitality, and community are highly regarded in Egyptian society. Traditional gender roles remain, but urban areas are more gender equitable, particularly for education and employment. Mosalsœtaafi feel proud to celebrate Ramadan and Eid with Islamic symbolism throughout the city, while Christian co-habitants consider Coptic Christmas and Easter events significant.
Egyptian music, dance, and film have significantly impacted the culture of the Arab world, while Egyptian literature and theatre are globally known. The nation is also known for its landmarks, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Luxor temples, representing its ancient civilization and national pride.
History
Egypt’s history is one of the world’s longest and most foundational, going back 5,000 years to the historical Pharaonic civilization. The traditional Egyptians built pioneering accomplishments in writing, design, and governance, erecting iconic monuments and structures such as the Great Pyramids and Sphinx. Like many ancient societies, foreign powers periodically ruled Egypt, including the Persians, Greeks under Alexander the Great, Romans, Byzantines, and the Ottoman Turks. Egypt formally became a British protectorate in the 19th century after the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869, a waters interchange path connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Egypt earned autonomous status in 1922, but British administration remained in place until the establishment of the republic in 1952. Known as Pan-Arabism, Nasser’s politics that led to newly self-governing Egypt’s closest relationships influenced Egypt’s place in regional politics. Recent years have seen multiple political changes in Egypt, witnessed by the world. Constantine’s recent Arab Revolt swept Egypt in 2011, culminating in a three-decade dictatorship. The nation still balances its energy for urbanization over its past rich rural history, being most pivotal in Middle Eastern chapels.
Government
Egypt boasts one of the world’s longest and most influential histories, stretching back 5,000 years to the Pharaonic civilization. Ancient Egyptians pioneered writing, architecture, and government worldwide and created iconic monuments such as the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.
Egypt has been under foreign domination for most of its history, starting with control by the Persians, then the Greeks after Alexander the Great, and later the Romans, Byzantines, and finally the Ottoman Turks. The 19th century brought foreign influence to Egypt. After the 1869 construction of the Suez Canal, it became a British protectorate, a strategic, global trade route connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
Egypt gained nominal independence from Britain in 1922. Still, British control remained as late as 1952, when an army revolt led by the nationalist Gen Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. Nasserism's activism and policies of “Arab nationalism” and “modernization,” along with policies on Arabization, forged Egypt’s role in regional politics.
Over the past few decades, Egypt has undergone several violent political transitions, from the 2011 Arab Spring, which brought down President Hosni Mubarak after more than three decades in power, to the years of military and political instability that followed. It remains a nation that keeps in stride with modernization, is connected to a wealth of culture, and is a significant power in Middle Eastern affairs.
Economy
Egypt has one of the most diverse and broad-based economies in the Middle East and North Africa. Its economy is a mixed economy comprising agriculture, manufacturing, and services, and it is characterized by high levels of sectoral integration. Egypt’s GDP has increased gradually due to several sectors, including tourism, natural gas output, and Suez Canal revenues.
Agriculture is still a fundamental element of the economy, employing a large share of the population, particularly in the countryside. The main crops are cotton, rice, wheat, and maize. The country has also developed an industrial base with sectors such as textiles, chemicals, and food processing.
Tourism is important, bringing millions of travelers to Egypt’s ancient monuments, beaches, and cultural heritage sites every year. Tourist revenues continue to represent an indispensable source of foreign exchange, even if at times threatened when political stability is jeopardized.
The Suez Canal which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea is a vital source of income. It generates huge revenues from tolls and stimulates international trade. Egypt has been developing the canal to grow its capacity and improve efficiency.
The economy is plagued by high unemployment, inflation, and a need for infrastructure. In an effort to achieve fiscal stability and lure back investors, the government has introduced economic reforms, including cutting subsidies and creating new investment laws.
The economic prospects of Egypt look promising, considering its strategic location, natural resources and continuing reforms. The country still aims to implement plans of sustainable development to achieve a growth that is shared by everyone and to combat poverty.
References
Cholewinski, R., & Guttman, U. (2023). Understanding the kafala migrant labor system in Qatar and the Middle East. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 24(1), 72–77. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/897703
Moghadam, V. M. (2020). Population growth, urbanization, and the challenges of unemployment. In J. Schwedler (Ed.), Understanding the contemporary Middle East (5th ed., pp. 263–292). Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Schwedler, J. (Ed.). (2020). Understanding the contemporary Middle East (5th ed.). Lynne Rienner Publishers.
U.S. Department of State. (2023). Trafficking in persons report: United Arab Emirates. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/united-arab-emirates/