Egypt at A Glance

Egypt is a country full of many wonders and sights that are great to behold. Everything from the Pyramids of Giza to the splendid Red Sea resorts creates a magical adventure for any tourist. Egypt tour packages are offered pre-set or customized to suit every traveler's needs and budget. Travelling to Egypt is truly the experience of a lifetime. Here is a guide to find out a bit more about Egypt.

More About Egypt

Egypt situated on the northeast of the African continent shares land borders with Sudan in the south and Libya in the West. To the north the coastline is on the Mediterranean Sea and to the east the coast is on the Gulf of Aqaba. Much of the country is desert terrain and the River Nile forms a principal source of irrigation and drinking water, with densely populated cities spreading out from its influx. Economic change has played a major role in the lives on modern-day Egyptians, as well as political upheaval. The country first began developing rapidly when urbanization increased dramatically throughout the 20th century.

Egypt's Four Main Zones

The Nile Valley and Delta: Encompassing a region of Upper and Lower Egypt, this area extends from the north down to the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile meets the highly fertile agricultural lands of the Delta and is the longest river on earth. It is used as a primary source of drinking water and crop irrigation.

The Western Desert: Extending from Libya's border in the west to the Nile Valley in the east, this zone is divided into a northern and southern section each of which has a different coastal area. 

The Eastern Desert: This zone's borders are marked by the eastern mountains whose peaks rise to heights of about 3,000 feet above sea level. The desert has rich natural resources and includes coal ore, gold and oil.

Sinai Peninsula: This region is approximately in the shape of a large triangle. The base lies at the Mediterranean, while on the east is the Gulf of Aqaba. The Suez Canal and Gulf of Suez are located to the west, with Ras Mohammed towards the south.

Amazing Egyptian Monuments 

Ancient monuments have brought the Nile Valley in Egypt worldwide fame. These include everything from the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, to the Abu Simbel Temples, Karnak Temple Complex, Valley of the Kings and more. Also, the Cairo Museum and Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha on the Sinai Peninsula are like pearls in the crown of Egypt’s magnificent tourist attractions.

• Giza southwest of Cairo is listed among the oldest monuments on the globe. It includes an ancient Egyptian royal mortuary and sacred structures like the Great Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, and many others.
• Luxor is located 500 km from Cairo and is touted to be the largest open-air museum on earth. It includes the ruins of major temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor.
• Saqqara is 30 km from Cairo and has many pyramids, including the oldest in the world and a number of mastaba burial structures as well. It served as the burial ground and necropolis for Memphis, which was the capital of Egypt in ancient times.
• Abu Simbel is a famous archeological site with two massive rock temples built in the 13th century B.C. In 1960, the entire complex was relocated to save it from getting submerged and it now stands above the Aswan High Dam reservoir.
• Alexandria is popular as a summer resort and has many beautiful beaches, historical sites, and museums. The most famous is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which aimed at reviving the ancient Library of Alexandria.
• The Sinai Peninsula has earned ample fame as a tourist destination due to its natural beauty and is bestowed with rich Biblical history and beautiful coral reefs. The place is a home to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, the oldest Christian Monastery in the world, which is still working as well as Mount Sinai and also many beach resorts.
• Ain Sukhna has many famous beach resorts and is situated 110 km from Cairo.

Egypt Travel Tips

• Any foreign traveler traveling to Egypt must possess a valid passport and an Entry Visa.
• Citizens of some countries require a pre-arrival Visa in order to travel to Egypt.
• If you have an international student card (ISIC) you can get reduced entry fees to various monuments and temples.
• Photography is allowed at most historical sites, but you should always check beforehand. Keep in mind that taking photos of military equipment, blocked off bridges and other governmental places is strictly prohibited.
• The Egyptian Pound is used in Egypt. One EGP is made of 100 piasters. Notes that are used here include the piaster, 1 pound and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Egyptian Pounds.
• it’s always advised to dress conservatively in Egypt when visiting churches and monuments.
• In Summer season, light cotton clothing is recommended and don’t forget to get your sunglasses, hat, and comfortable shoes along with you.
• Bring sunscreen and apply it before going out in the hot Egyptian sun.