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Egypt is one of the oldest
civilizations, dating back over 6000 years.
Population:
55 million people
Geographic size: 387,000 square miles
Capital: Cairo
Major cities and population: Cairo, Alexandria, El
Giza, Suez, Asyut, Luxor, Aswan, and El Minya |
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 Egypt borders on the
Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The Nile, the world's
longest river, flows through Egypt on its way to the
Mediterranean Sea. Most major cities, including about 99%
of the population, lie along the Nile River. |
 Most of western Egypt is
desert. Winds blowing the sand can create sand dunes
hundreds of feet high. |
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Egypt still has many
reminders of its ancient civilization. Some of the
pyramids are over 4,500 years old.
In Ancient Egypt the
King, or Pharaoh, built temples to the gods. The King
would prepare for his death by building a great tomb or
temple to be worshipped as a god. These are the great
pyramids. |
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Oil and natural
gas are two of Egypt's major industries. Chemical and
steel production are also important industries. The banks
of the Nile River provide rich soil for farming dates,
grapes and cotton. Other industries include textiles and
food processing.
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Ancient Egypt was one
of the earliest cultures.
Great temples were
built to honor the gods. While many were in the shape of
pyramids, others took on the form of their Pharaoh. The
Sphinx at Giza has the body of a lion and the head of a
Pharaoh. The word Sphinx is Egyptian meaning "living
image." |
During the first Egyptian dynasty the idea of writing developed in a pictorial
script known as hieroglyphics.
Egyptians told stories
about the creation of their world, and about their
society using hieroglyphs.
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Most people in Egypt live in
cities along the Nile River. Egypt still maintains much
of its traditional culture. |
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| Egypt is very
hot and dry. Temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees
Fahrenheit, and rain is very scarce. |
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