Egypt’s history dates back approximately three thousand years, from 3200 BC until Alexander the Great’s conquest of Egypt in 323 BC. During the Pharaonic era, Egypt witnessed many stages of renaissance and progress, leaving a tremendous legacy of civilization, architecture, science, and the arts.
The Historians divide the Pharaonic era in Egyptian history into three successive sections:
– The Old Kingdom
– The Middle Kingdom
– The New Kingdom
Historians also divide this era into thirty ruling dynasties divided into these three stages of Egyptian history.
The eagle symbolized
the goddess Nekhbeet, who was the eagle goddess and represented Upper Egypt, which extended to Aswan. She was considered the protector of the pharaoh, and was always depicted with her wings outstretched as a sign of protection. At the time, she was also referred to as a mother, and this eagle always appeared behind the pharaoh’s crown.
Egypt is also distinguished by
the Nile River, which runs through its land and was considered a catalyst for the rise of an ancient civilization. Egypt also occupies a prime geographical location, linking the continents of Asia and Africa and connecting to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. All of this led to the rise of a civilization known as one of the oldest in human history.
What civilizations have passed through Egypt?
Many civilizations have succeeded one another on the land of Egypt. Egypt was the cradle of Pharaonic civilization, the incubator of Greek and Roman civilizations, a beacon of Coptic civilization, and a protector of Islamic civilization. Throughout history, the Egyptian people have been characterized by love, tolerance, friendliness, and generosity, a characteristic of this nation, blending together into a single, solid fabric
The location
Egypt is located mostly in the northeast corner of Africa with part of its Sinai desert located in Asia. It has a total area of 1,002,450 square km making it the 31st largest country in the world; measuring from the very North to the very south you have a total of 1,024 km.
What is the predominant religion in Egypt?
The dominant religion is Islam, making Egypt’s population 90% Muslim and around 10% Christian, with the Muslims being mostly Sunnis and the Coptic Orthodox Chruch being the largest Christians.
Languages of Egypt
The official language of Egypt is Arabic, and most Egyptians speak one of several vernacular dialects of that language. As is the case in other Arab countries, the spoken vernacular differs greatly from the literary language. Modern literary Arabic (often called Modern Standard
The ethnic groups of Egypt
1- The majority of Egyptians
The population of the Nile valley and delta, which are home to the overwhelming majority of Egyptians, forms a fairly homogeneous group whose dominant physical characteristics are the result of the admixture of the indigenous African population with those of Arab ancestry.
2- (Ṣaʿīdīs)
The inhabitants of what is termed the middle Nile valley—roughly the area from Cairo to Aswān—are known as the Ṣaʿīdī, or Upper Egyptians. Though the Ṣaʿīdī as a group tend to be more culturally conservative, they are ethnically similar to Lower Egyptians.
3- Nubians
In the extreme southern valley, Nubians differ culturally and ethnically from other Egyptians. Their kinship structure goes beyond lineage; they are divided into clans and broader segments, whereas among other Egyptians of the valley and of Lower Egypt only known members of the lineage are recognized as kin. Although Nubians have mixed and intermarried with members of other ethnic groups—particularly with Arabs—the dominant physical characteristics tend to be those of sub-Saharan Africa.
4- The Bedouin
The deserts of Egypt contain nomadic, seminomadic, and sedentary but formerly nomadic groups, with distinct ethnic characteristics. Apart from a few non-Arab tribal groups and the mixed urban population, the inhabitants of the Sinai and the northern section of the Eastern Desert are all fairly recent immigrants from Arabia, who bear some physical resemblances to Arabian Bedouin. Their social organization is tribal, each group conceiving of itself as being united by a bond of blood and as having descended from a common ancestor. Originally tent dwellers and nomadic herders, many have become seminomads or even totally sedentary, as in the northern Sinai Peninsula.
Egypt is famous for
The River Nile
The River Nile is the world’s longest river stretching to 6,650km. Over 95% of Egypt’s population lives near the Nile due to its importance to the country’s agriculture and overall survival. Several hydroelectric dams have been built along the Nile, including the Aswan High Dam in Egypt. These dams generate electricity and help control flooding. Throughout history, the Nile has been a vital transportation route for goods and people. Today, it is still used for transportation, particularly in Sudan and South Sudan.
ancient civilization and the monuments of the majestic pharaohs
such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, the GEM (The Grand Egyptian Museum), Sakkara, and Dahshur.
Fennec Fox
The small fox in the world
The Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda) is a small fox native to the Sahara Desert, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and the Arava and Negev deserts in Israel. They are most notable for their very large ears, which are used to both aid their hearing and to help them to control their body temperature.
Rare medical plants
Today, Egypt is home to 384 different species of medicinal plants found in the Mediterranean coastal region, in the deserts, in the oases of the Libyan Desert and in the Sinai Peninsula. The area of Saint Catherine is one of Egypt’s most fertile grounds for medicinal plants, and no less than 102 species are to be found in this 4,000-square-kilometer protectorate. But here plant life is facing various threats, and a decline in the variety of species has been observed. Also, 16 of the 102 medicinal plant species found in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula are endemic, which means that they have to be protected, collected and replanted in order to avoid their complete disappearance.
The clothing
How do girls dress in Egypt?
Since Egypt is a conservative country, dress modestly and respectfully. Over 90% of Egypt’s population practices Islam, So, you can wear loose, flowy.
Does Egypt have a dress code?
There really is no dress code in Egypt for tourists. In mosques, women are required to cover their shoulders & wear a veil, while men should be mostly covered as well.
What clothes do modern Egyptians wear?
Most men in Egypt wear loosefitting trousers and shirts. T-shirts and polo shirts are generally acceptable. Wearing shorts that fall below the knee is acceptable in most modern cities. Shorts are not acceptable in mosques or religious sites.
Best Egypt nature reserves
Nabq protectorate
Was declared as protectorate area by the Egyptian government in 1992.the reserve is situated by the red sea coast, Aqaba gulf in Sinai peninsula. It covers about 230 square miles full of rare kind of trees called mangroves and very special animals and birds species such as dorcas gazelles, Nubian ibex, spoonbill pinkish bird and osprey, a bird with long narrow wings. The area is also protecting the ecosystem of the sea as sea turtles and sea grass.
Ras Mohamed national park
This national park is located in Sinai peninsula between Suez gulf and aqaba gulf. It is very important for its rule in protecting biodiversity of the marine life and terrestrial wild life as well. It covers about 185 square miles and has rare plants as mangroves, dum palms and acacia trees. As well as sea urchins, star fish, coral reefs and mullosks.
Saint Catherine protectorate
Saint Catherine protectorate has UNESCO World Heritage Site which is the saint Catherine monastery dates back to. The protectorate also covers high mountains of the peninsula. This area is exposed to danger because it is sill inhabited by some people of Bedouin settlements. They are practicing their lives normal, and also there are some unparticular touristic movements. This can lead the rare species to fade and extinction by time. The area has more than 472 plant species, 46 reptile and even more need to be protected.
Siwa oasis
Siwa oasis is full of olive and palm trees. As well as, hot and cold water springs that have healing properties and detoxifying benefits. It was declared as a nature reserve in 2002, located between the white sand desert and Qattara Depression. The Oasis also has ancient monuments and archaeological sites as oracle of Amun temple.
White desert national park
The white desert is popular for its chalk white rocks which were formed from erosions factors. The reserve is also a home of sand cats, fennec foxes, Barbary cheep, and rhim gazelle
Sample of the Architecture in Egypt
The ancient ones
The list maybe prolong to too much, so, we will choices some of them and talk about and write down the names of others only
1- Al-Azhar al-Sharif
It is the name of the first mosque built in southeast Cairo, Egypt. It was the first mosque built in Cairo during the Fatimid era. It was called the Cairo Mosque and was founded by Jawhar al-Siqilli, the commander of the Fatimid Caliph. Construction of Al-Azhar Mosque began in 359 AH (361 AH), corresponding to 970 AH (972 AH). Al-Azhar was the first Fatimid edifice built during the reign of Al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah, the first Fatimid Caliph in Egypt. During the Fatimid era, Al-Azhar Mosque included a school for graduating preachers of the Ismaili Shia sect, with the intention of spreading and teaching it to the world at that time, Al-Azhar Mosque is not limited to a mosque alone; it also includes a university, frequented by students from all over the world to learn various sciences. Al-Azhar Mosque is distinguished by its vast civilizations over the years, and rulers have been keen to renovate and expand it. Because it is a famous cultural and religious monument in the Islamic world.
Today, Al-Azhar adopts the Ash’ari school of thought.
Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, revealed the reason behind Al-Azhar’s adherence to the Ash’ari school of thought, and why it has remained committed to it throughout the 10 centuries of Al-Azhar’s history. He emphasized that the primary reason for this is that this school of thought was a true and faithful reflection of the simplicity and ease of religion that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), his companions, and those who followed them adhered to. He emphasized that what Al-Ash’ari did was formulate a doctrinal doctrine that upholds the Qur’an and Sunnah through rational evidence and by demonstrating that the texts of revelation are consistent with pure reason, if they are freed from the impurities of whims, arguments, and fallacies.
2- The hanging Church
it’s place
The church is located within the Old Cairo neighborhood, meters awayfrom the Amr Ibn al-Aas Mosque, the Jewish Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Church of St. Mina, next to the Babelbon Fortress and the Church of Martyr Mercurius known as Abu Sefin. It is also located south of the Coptic Museum.
When was it built?
The church was built in the late fourth and early fifth centuries AD.
What do it included?
It has 13giant columns representing Christ and the Twelve Apostles.
The standingof the outstanding church
1 – The churchis considered the first papal seat in Cairo
2- Many major Christianreligious ceremonies were held there
3 – It is a Coptic Orthodox Church
4 – It is considered a very important shrine forChristians, and this is because it is historically old and because it is
associated with the Holy Family.
3- The Suhaimi House
A traditional Arab house in Cairo
Its place
In the yellow path that branches out from Sha’ir al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah
When did the Suhaimi house be built?
The house was built in the year 1058 AH (1648 AD)
Why it is called by that name?
The house was named after its last inhabitant, Sheikh Muhammad Amin Al-Suhaimi from Al-Azhar Mosque. It is now owned by the Egyptian government and is used as a museum of traditional architecture.
The area of house is
2000 meters.
4- Prince Mohamed Ali Palace
The Manial Palace and Museum is a former Alawiyya dynasty era palace and grounds on Rhoda Island on the Nile. It is of Ottoman architecture and located in the Sharia Al-Saray area in the El-Manial district of southern Cairo, Egypt.
5- Ibn Tulun Mosque
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is a historic mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Built between 876 and 879 by its namesake, Ahmad ibn Tulun, it is the oldest well-preserved mosque in Egypt.
Hatshepsut Temple in Luxor
Modern Architecture in Egypt
The biggest Egyptian museum
the colossal building, also known as the Giza Museum, is framed against the Pyramids of Giza. Heneghan Peng Architects’ design for the museum encompasses 90,000 square metres of a 50-hectare site, making it the world’s biggest museum. the Egyptian Ministry of Culture house more than 100,000 pharaonic artefacts from Ancient Egypt and, alongside exhibition space, there will be a children’s museum, conference centre, auditorium, conservation spaces and gardens.
New Alamein City
Spanning across more than 48,000 feddans and planned to accommodate more than 3 million people by 2030, New Alamein City has changed our perception of the North Coast. With 14km of a breathtaking turquoise shoreline
New Administrative Capital
New Administrative Capital (NAC), city, Al-Qāhirah muḥāfaẓah (governorate), Egypt. It is located on the outskirts of Cairo, it’s for serving as the country’s capital.
Landmarks Of Egypt
Pyramids of Giza
It originally stood about 482 feet (147 meters) tall, but erosion and the removal of most of the polished limestone casing stones—which made the structure smooth and caused it to gleam in the sunlight—have lowered the pyramid’s height to 449 feet (137 meters).
Luxor Temple
The Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River in the city today known as Luxor and was constructed approximately 1400 BCE. In the Egyptian language it was known as ipet resyt, “the southern sanctuary”.
Edfu Temple
A magnificent temple at Deir al-Bahari, on the west back of Luxor. It lies directly across the Nile from Karnak Temple, the main sanctuary of the god Amun.
The security state in Egypt
1- No wars in Egypt
2- As With Gaza tensions high, Egyptians and Israelis warn of a new war
According to a report in Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, this “war sentiment” is fueled by misleading information amplified by right-wing outlets in Israel. It debunked many of the claims circulating on social media and TV about an Egyptian military buildup at the border.
Story about Egypt in 3 Languages (English – Arabic and Spanish)
In Arabic
In English
In Spanish