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 Egypt Introdution
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| About
Egypt |
Egypt is probably the world's
oldest civilization having emerged from the Nile Valley around 3,100 years
ago, historically. Egypt is probably one of the oldest vacation spots.
Early Greeks, Romans and others went there just for fun, and to see the
wonders of some of mankind's earliest triumphs. But Egypt is much more
than Pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, hot night
spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises
down the Nile on festive river boats, a night at the grand opera and it
is a cultural experience like none you have ever experienced. Egypt is
a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement. More than
anything else, we want you to think of Egypt as fun. For thousands of
years, it has been the playground of emperors and kings, and we hope you
will take the time to find out why.
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| Background |
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.
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| Country Guide |
Travel Guide |
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