Map
Source: CIA World Factbook
Summary Data
| summary data |
|
| Total Area (km2) |
1,001,450 |
| Land (km2) |
995,450 |
| Water (km2) |
6,000 |
| Population |
81,713,517 |
| Population Density (/km2) |
82 |
| Capital |
Cairo |
| Religion (%) |
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%
Coptic 9%
Other, Christian 1% |
| Time |
GMT +2 |
| Climate |
Desert: hot, dry summers,
with moderate winters. |
Source: CIA World Factbook
Geography
Egypt consists of a vast desert plateau interrupted by the Nile
valley and delta. The vast Sahara desert claims over 90% of Egypt's
land, forcing its 80 million people to inhabit the luscious,
life-giving Nile Valley and Delta, and the coastlines. It has
almost two and a half thousand kilometres of coastline that offer
some of the best diving opportunities in the world.
Government
Egypt is a republic and has been since 1953. Although in theory
power is shared between the president and prime minister, in
practice it belongs almost entirely to the president, Mohamed Hosni
Mubarak who has been in power since 1981. The prime minister is
Ahmed Mohamed Nazif. There are concerns about the lack of real
democracy within the election process.
Language
The official language is Arabic but English and French are
widely understood by the educated classes.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the two-pin type.
Passports/Visa
Passports are required by all nationals and must be valid for at
least six months from date of issue of the visa. If a visa is not
required they should be valid for at least six months from the date
of travelling.
Visas
British and other EU nationals travelling to Sharm El Sheikh,
Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts only, for up to 14 days, do not
require a visa, but travel out of these areas or overstay requires
a visa.
The following nationalities and holders of Travel Documents
require approval from Competent Authorities in Cairo prior issuing
the visa (this process takes 6 to 8 weeks): Iran, Bangladesh,
Tunisia, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq,
Eritrea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Moldova.
Nationals of China, Philippines and Sri Lanka working in the UK
can obtain single entry tourist visa if certain additional
documentation is provided. Chinese students can obtain single entry
tourist visa if certain additional documentation is provided.
Sudanese nationals who have valid residence for at least 6
months can travel without a visa to Egypt.
Malaysian nationals can stay in Egypt for up to two weeks
without visa; more than 2 weeks usual requirements apply.
Holders of Palestinian Authority passport can have a transit
visa for 72 hours.
For all other Nationalities (not mentioned above and not E.U.,
Japanese, Singapore, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and U.S.A.),
they must have at least six months validity on their U.K.
residency, and apply in person at the Consulate, following the
regular requirements.
Passport/Visa Information
Egyptian Embassy
26 South Street,
London W1K 1DW
Tel: 020 7499 3304/2401
Egyptian Visa Section
2 Lowndes Street,
London, SW1 9ET
Tel: 020 7235 9719
Airports and Airlines
Cairo International Airport
(CAI)
Currently operating two terminals, a third is due to opened mid
to late 2008.
- Location: The airport is situated 22km north
east of central Cairo.
- Time: GMT +2
- Contacts: Tel: +(202) 265 3308
- Transfer between terminals: A free shuttle bus
links the terminals.
- Transfer to the city: Pre-bookable Shuttle Bus
service to and from the airport from a number of destinations; taxi
services operating on flat fee basis; limousine service; public bus
service.
- Facilities: A variety of eating
establishments, banking facilities, duty free shopping,
lounges.
- Parking: short and long term parking
facilities available.
- Website: http://www.cairo-airport.com/
Standard of Living
The cost of living is very low in Egypt compared to Western
Europe prices, yet the standard, especially in tourist areas, can
be very good. There is a thriving restaurant and café culture and a
multitude of golf resorts and marina along the coastal areas that
cater for high end tourists. This encourages a higher standard of
living and better amenities. The road system is well developed,
however medical facilities are not up to British standards.
Principal commercial centres and towns
Cairo is the capital city of Egypt and is also the most populous
city of the country.
| population by city/town 2007 |
|
| Cairo |
6,758,581 |
| Alexandria |
4,110,015 |
| Hurghada |
248,000 |
| Aswan |
200,000 |
| El Alamein |
7,397 |
Source: Wikipedia
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