EGYPT TRAVEL

Egypt is a great nation with rich history and culture, and a major travel destination. The Great Pyramids, the Sphinx of Giza, the Nile, the Temple of Abu Simbel and others attract million of tourists from around the world every year.

Egypt is located in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip. With total land area about 995,450 square kilometers, Egypt is slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico of the United States.

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 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. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt once became an important world transportation hub. Nominally independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following the World War II.

Based on July 2005 estimate, Egypt has about 77,505,756 population, including Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, and other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%. Arabic is the official language, but English and French are widely understood by educated classes.

Egypt uses Egyptian Pound (EGP) as its currency. Based on market rate of 2004, US $1 equal to 6.1963 Egyptian pounds. In 2005, Egypt has about 4.2 million Internet users.

Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, is the center of this great nation for more than a thousand years. Egyptian Museum houses ancient artifacts, including the magnificent gold funerary mask and other pieces from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. The Sultan Hassan Mosque, Alabaster Mosque, and the spectacular Citadel complex are some other Cairo's tourist attractions and sightseeing highlights.

The Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza are major touring highlights. The Great Pyramids, completed about 5,000 years ago, is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The Temple of Abu Simbel, on the shores of Lake Nassar, is the most complete ancient Egyptian architecture built by Ramses II more than 3,000 years ago.

An ancient Greek traveler described Egypt as "the gift of the Nile". The Nile, the world's longest river, is as essential to Egypt today as it was in ancient times. Take a cruise ship following the path of Nile River from Aswan to Luxor, you will see the High Dam; and reach Edfu to see Egypt's best-preserved temple dedicated to Horus; and reach Luxor to view the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Colossos of Memnon, and the spectacular Theban temples of Karnak and Luxor, the center of ancient Egypt. Cruising the Nile will be an unforgettable journey of your lifetime.