Egypt Travel Guide

Full Name

Arab Republic of Egypt

Former Name

United Arab Republic (with Syria)

Capital City

Cairo

Government Type

Republic

Area Size

Situated on the North East corner of Africa Egypt has an area of 1,001,450 sq km, of which 6,000 sq km is water. The Libyan and Western desert constitutes a whole 75% of the total area. Egypt borders the Mediterranean Sea in the north, Israel and the Red Sea in the east, Sudan in the south and Libya in the West.

Time Zone

GMT + 2 hours

Climate

Throughout Egypt the days are generally hot and the nights cool. From November to April Egypt experiences a mild winter, and from May to October a hot summer. The major difference between the two seasons is day temperatures and prevailing winds. There’s not a lot of rain in Egypt, but most of what little there is falls along the coast. Alexandria, the wettest area, receives about 200mm per year. Cairo hardly gets any rain, but nevertheless the humidity here in summer can be as high as 77 per cent. The hot spring wind, sirocco (khamsin), usually blows across the country in April, forming in low pressure areas in the Isthmus of Suez, sweeping across the northern coast of Africa. Unobstructed by geographical features the sirocco brings along a lot of sand and dust – sandstorms reaching 140 km/t can cause illness in people and animals and damage crops and occasionally infrastructure.

Geography

Bordering the Mediterranean Sea in the north, Israel and the Red Sea in the east, Sudan in the south and Libya in the West, Egypt controls the Sinai Peninsula and is the only land bridge between Africa and the remainder of Eastern Hemisphere. It also controls the Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Egypt’s natural boundaries consist of more than 2,900 kilometers of coastline. Predominantely desert, the Western Desert covers about 700,000 square kilometers, Egypt’s cultivated and permanently settled area is only 35,000 square kilometers. The Nile Valley and Delta, the most extensive oasis on earth, was created by the world’s second-longest river and its seemingly inexhaustible sources. The Nile River traverses about 1,600 kilometers through Egypt and flows northward from the Egyptian-Sudanese border to the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is a combination of three long rivers whose sources are in central Africa: the White Nile, the Blue Nile, and the Atbarah. At Cairo, the Nile spreads out over what was once a broad estuary that has been filled by silt deposits to form a fertile, fan-shape delta which extends over approximately 22,000 square kilometers. The Sinai Peninsula is a 61,000 sq km triangular area similar to the desert but with mountains in its southern area – a geological extension of the Red Sea Hills.

Languages

Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

Culture

Egypt’s history covers over five thousand years and includes the origin of civilisation, the rise of the Greeks and Romans and the creation of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions. One can find many trappings of modern life in ancient Egypt, such as mirrors, makeup, ovens and beds. And it’s evident that Egypt’s culture has influenced Europe, Middle East and Africa greatly. Ancient tradition is important to Egyptians, particularly in rural areas. Even though urbanism has developed to a great extent, one can still see people living much like they did thousands of years ago. Moving out of the cities you can spot oxen pulling ancient plows and donkey carts loaded with a variety of agricultural products. Follow the fascinating Bedouin nomads wandering through the deserts in search of water and grazing for their camels, navigating by stars and reading the signs of the desert as they go... Eat like the locals, with aysh (bread baked in clay ovens) rather than knives and forks, sampling the Fattah - a dish with layers of bread, rice and meat seasoned with vinegar and garlic, garnished with yoghurt and nuts. A delightful mixture of wonderful traditions, Egypt and its enticing cities - where one can be in awe of the madness of blaring horns, multicoloured lights and energetic people– will capture your heart from day one.

History

The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure.

Travel Information

Egypt is situated on the top right hand corner of Africa, and is easily reachable. There are non-stop flights from most major African, Asian, North American and European cities on Air Egypt, which flies directly in to the international airports. The largest and most active airport is Cairo, which has in recent years expanded into a first-class facility. Alexandria airport is served by Olympic Airlines and Egyptair. Luxor Airport now has direct flights from several European cities via Air France and Lufthansa. Hurghada Airport is also serviced by Lufthansa while Sharm el Shaykh Airport receives charter flights from Germany and France. Other airports in Egypt are Asyut, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Al Arish, St. Catherine’s, Kharga Oasis and Siwa Oasis. Two national carriers for internal flights, Egyptair and Air Sinai, flies between major cities every day and to smaller cities a few times a week. Alexandria and Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea, and Suez and Nuweiba on the Red Sea, are ports of entry for visitors on boats. All private vehicles entering Egypt must have a triptyque or carnet de passage en douane from an automobile club in the country of registration, or pay customs duty which can be as high as 250 percent.

Accommodation

There is a large variety of accommodation opportunities in Egypt. In the major cities there are plenty of hotels to choose from. Hotels can range in price from as low as about 8GBP to 30GBP per night. Most are in the range of 10GBP to 20GBP. There are also historical hotels - former royal palaces and lodges providing a unique experience for guests - such as The Mena House in Cairo, one of the best known hotels in Egypt. You will also find lots of B&B’s and Guest Houses, especially in Cairo and Luxor. Even more reasonable, for the younger travellers and backpackers, several hostels and camping sites are available throughout the country. Whether you want just an overnight trip to a historical monument, several relaxing days by the sea or an adventurous excursion through the desert, you can choose to go by yourself or with a group lead by an experienced tour guide. A cruise down the Nile is without doubt something every visitor aims to fit into his or her busy schedule. There’s a variety of cruises available to suit every budget, ranging from just a few hours to several days or even weeks.

Visa Requirements

There are three types of Egyptian visas. The tourist visa is usually valid for a period not exceeding three months, and granted on single (15 GBP) or multiple (18 GBP) entry basis. An entry visa is required for anyone entering for purposes other than tourism, while a transit visa allows you to stay for a short period only. It is possible for most tourists and visitors to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Ports of Entry. Please check with your nearest Egyptian Consular mission for more details concerning visa regulations applying to your citizenship. Citizens of the following countries are required to be in possession of a pre-arrival visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechnya, Croatia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Lebanon, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, The Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Sri-Lanka, Tadzhikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and all African countries.

Getting Around

All airports in Egypt have a taxi service to city centres, operated on a flat fee basis. Official Cairo taxis are black and white and Alexandria taxis are black and orange. There are also buses, but they are often very crowded. The public transport system in Egypt is by and large very good. The Egyptian State Railway services large areas of the country and trains are frequent and inexpensive. Air-conditioned buses link most part of Egypt to the main cities. Both Cairo and Alexandria have buses travelling in and around the cities, as well as tram and metro systems. There are also plenty of taxis, which can be shared and hired for the day. For the more courageous, driving a car in Egypt allows a great deal of freedom. Streets are jam-packed in the cities, especially Cairo, but highways throughout the country are much better. There are car rental agencies at most major hotels. Foreigners must have a valid International Driver’s License and be at least 25 years of age. Some agencies offer 4x4s, with or without driver, for desert travel. Cruising on the Nile River is another way of exploring what Egypt has to offer. There are numerous tour operators offering a variety of cruises to suit your budget and requirements.

Health & Safety

There is a large quantity of modern hospitals throughout Egypt, both in governmental and private sectors. Governmental hospitals in general enjoy a high standard of modern equipment and efficient staff members. Numerous private practices are excellent; some of them quite close to Western standards. Hospitalisation in general hospitals, particularly in emergencies, is free of charge. However, a visitor is always advised to seek a private one, which is still strictly supervised by the health authorities. Hospital charges vary according to different standards, but in general the cost is much less than one would expect at home. Be aware that they only accept cash or credit cards, not medical insurance papers from your country of origin. In less severe conditions there are clinics in close proximity to most hotels. And as most international pharmaceutical companies have offices in Egypt, practically every drug is available. It is however advisable to bring any medicine you regularly use. The tap water in Egypt is drinkable, but foreigners are advised to use bottled water. Malaria is not a problem in Egypt, but rabies is widespread. Please note that evidence of Yellow Fever and Cholera immunizations is required from persons who have been in an infected area within six days prior to arrival. Tourist Police wear green armbands and stand guard at major tourist sites and hotels. Traffic Police wear black and white in winter and white in summer and can be found on most major street corners.

National Holidays

Fixed dates: 22 Feb (Unity Day) 25 Apr (Sinai Day) 1 May (Labour Day) 18 Jun (Evacuation Day) 23 Jul (Anniversary of the Revolution) 6 Oct (Armed Forces' Day) 24 Oct (Suez Day) 23 Dec (Victory Day) Variable dates: The Islamic year contains 354 or 355 days, with the result that Muslim feasts advance by 10-12 days against the Gregorian calendar each year. Dates of feasts vary according to the sighting of the new moon.

Currency

Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Electricity

220V AC

Working Hours

As Egypt is a Muslim country Friday is the official day off, and some companies treat Thursday as a half day. Banking hours are Sun-Thu 0830 to 1500, business hours Sat-Thu 0900 to 1700 and government hours Sat-Thu 0900 to 1500. Shops are closed on Fridays, and closed for a few hours in the middle of the day during summer.

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance 123, Police 122