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Officially referred to as the ‘Arab republic of Egypt’, Egypt occupies an area of 1,001,449 km² of Northern Africa and stands as the second most populated country of Africa. Every facade of Egypt has appealed to people around the world especially historians, archaeologists and tourists.
Official Languages:
The official languages of Afghanistan are Dari and Pashto (Afghan Persian/Farsi). Dari was always used for cStandard Arabic is the official language of Egypt, but Egyptian Arabic (Ma?ri) is the most widely used for conversing and sometimes while writing. In the business, educational and governmental spheres English and French is used to a great extent. Barring the different variety of the Arabic language namely Bedouin Arabic, Sudanese Arabic and Egyptian Arabic, other languages like Nubian, Domari, Greek and Armenian also prevail in parts of Egypt.
Independence, Republic and Government:
After the Persians, it was the turn of the Greeks and Romans to rule Egypt. Later Arabs were predominantly a part of the country and injected Islam and Arabic into Egypt. From almost 1517 to the mid 19th century the country was ruled by the Ottoman Turks.
It was just after the First World War that the country witnessed several nationalist movements and revolutions. The country’s independence was declared on 22nd February, 1922. By 1923 a new constitution was already drafted and implemented by the ruling Egyptian government. In the year 1924, Saad Zaghlul became a Prime Minister through a plebiscite. In order to completely free Egypt from the British control, the revolutionists forced King Farouk I to abdicate. The country was declared a republic on 18th June 1953. Since 1953 Mohamed Hosni Mubarak has been serving as the President of Egypt and is also the leader of National Democratic Party. In the year 2004, Dr. Ahmed Nazif acquired the post of the Prime Minister of Egypt. In Egypt, although a multi party semi presidential system prevails where the executive power should be carried by both the Prime Minister and the President, but practically it is the President who alone enjoys the power. The bicameral legislature of the Parliament of Egypt manages the governmental tasks.
Top Cities of Egypt:
Cairo: Every year tourists in large number visit the capital of Egypt to catch, apart from her historical assets, the colorful bazaars, unique museums and the outstanding Citadel and mosques. The Pyramids of Giza and the popular Mosque of Mohammed Ali are the principle attraction of this modern and splendid city.
Alexandria: The city was named after her founder, Alexander the Great. Once known as the ‘Lighthouse of Alexandria’, this is the second largest city of Egypt. Presently she hosts the country’s leading port and is a renowned transportation, industrial and commercial center of Egypt.
Luxor:Often stated as the ‘world’s greatest open air museum’, Luxor is a hot tourist spot. The numerous museums, temples and tombs situated on the Western and Eastern Bank draw in large number of tourists from across the globe.
Sharm El Sheikh: Popularly known as ‘The City of Peace’, Sharm El Sheikh is a well known city and the administrative center of the country’s Southern Sinai province. Tourists are catered in an extraordinary manner and made to feel over-the-top.
Culture and Heritage:
One of the earliest civilizations of the world, the ancient Egypt has always stood apart from the rest. The striking cultures of Egypt have had an immense impact on Middle East, Europe and Africa’s culture. Presently the traditional Egyptian culture has undergone several changes and has come under the influence of the modern western culture.
Among all the African and Arab nations, Egypt is the most influential center of culture, education and trade. In the domain of arts, Egyptians have earned a unique name for themselves by accentuating their drawn images. In the late 19th century the art and media industry thrived further giving birth to more than 30 satellite channels and numerous movies. Traditional as well as contemporary music has always been an integral part of the motion pictures and the lives of Egyptians. Apart from the indigenous components, Egyptian music also has influences of African, Mediterranean and Western elements. The modern Arabic style of literature was first brought in by the novelists and poets of Egypt. Naguib Mahfouz (Nobel Prize winner), Muhammad Husayn Haykal, Salah Jaheen, Alifa Rifaat, Abdel Rahman el-Abnudi, Ahmed Fuad Nigm and Nawal El Saadawi are some of the well known writers and poets of Egypt. Besides all this, the colorful festivals and carnivals and their emotional attachment to sports brings forth the passionate side of the Egyptians.
Tourism
In the last few decades the tourism sector of Egypt has experienced a steep rise and added considerably to the country’s revenue. The government, after adopting liberal policies and boasting the tourism sector, has accelerated the country’s growth significantly. Egypt’s old civilization and historical artifacts belonging to the varied eras had always drawn the Europeans. Being enclosed by Mediterranean and Red Sea and amazing cities like Sudan, Libya and Israel, she has been adorned by innumerable tourist attractions.
Natives as well as the foreign tourists take great pleasure in basking on the various beaches and relish the magnificent surrounding. Tourist destinations like Sharm el-Sheikh, Safaga, Hurghada, Ras Sidr, Mars Alam and Dahab are frequently visited by tourists. Due to the prevalence of unique natural resources such as black curative sands, sulfuric streams and so forth, Egypt is also popular as a hub for varied therapies. Helwan, Siwa, Baharia Oasis, the New Valley and El Dakhla Oasis are some of the places where tourists enjoy the goodness of therapies and valuable medical treatments. Apart from the stunning beaches, people relish visiting the numerous temples, monasteries, cemeteries, tombs, pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and other architectural structures of the country.
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