Egypt

Egypt Travel

The stunning, colossal monuments of Ancient Egypt never fail to astonish. The heat, sight and the light of the desert invigorate. The cool, turquoise waters rejuvenate. A romantic cruise along the world's longest river dazzles the senses. A first class getaway resort in the Red Sea Riviera is pure escapism. No place has the magic, mystery and pleasures of Egypt. Travel to Egypt to discover a world of wonder.

Recommended Attractions

Giza Plateau - Ancient Egypt's most famous, fascinating and mysterious archaeological site.
Abu-Simbel Temples - Prepare to be blown away by the magnificence of these temples. They are undisputedly one of the…
Bibliotheca Alexandrina - No trip along the Corniche of modern Alexandria can be complete without a visit to the new library.
Temple of Luxor - The Temple of Luxor is a must see site on any trip to Egypt

Main Airports

Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh.

Geography

Egypt is the 29th biggest country in the world, covering a total area of 1,002,450 sq. km. It is located in the northeast corner of the African continent, on the Mediterranean Sea, at a crossroad between Africa, Asia and Europe. It is bordered to the east by the Red Sea, Palestine and Israel to the north-east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south.

The country is divided into 4 main geological areas:

- Nile Valley and Delta: this region extends on both sides of the Nile from the southern limit of the river going through Aswan, Luxor, to reach Cairo, then ramifying to the north and encompassing the destinations of Damietta and Rosetta. These ramifications, north of Cairo form the Nile Delta, Egypt’s most fertile agricultural land.

- Western Desert: Extending from the Nile Valley in the east to the Egypt-Libyan border in the west and from the Mediterranean coast in the north to the southern Egyptian border, it is one of Egypt’s most arid regions. Sparsely inhabited yet charming oases – Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Kharga and Dakhla – dot this region that covers 2/3 of the country’s total land area.

- Eastern Desert: this region lies between the Nile Valley to the west, the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez to the east, Lake Manzala to the north and the Sudanese border to the south. This arid region embraces the Red Sea Mountains chain, reaching an altitude of over 900 metres above sea level at some points. The region is Egypt’s richest in natural resources. Its underground treasures include gems, coal and oil.

- Sinai Peninsula: a triangularly shaped plateau linked from its north-western corner to Egypt’s mainland, at the Gulf of Suez. The peninsula is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. This area is divided into a southern section (encompassing Mount Catherine, the highest mountain in Egypt rising about 2640 m above sea level), the middle section and the northern section.

Population

The estimated total population of Egypt is about 79 million, according to the 2007 population census. Most of the Egyptian population is concentrated near the River Nile, in cities and towns such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Port Said. Smaller settlements include the Western Desert oases, and main destinations of the Sinai Peninsula.

Language

Egypt’s official language is Arabic, but foreign languages, such as English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish are also widely spoken, especially in educated circles.

The People

Egypt is home to a multicultural society. Ethnic Egyptians constitute 95% of Egypt's total population whereas Egypt's minorities include Nubians, Berbers (Siwa Oasis), Bedouins, Arabs, Turks, and Greeks, additionally to small tribal communities: the Bejas and Doms. The former are concentrated in the south-eastern corner of Egypt, and the latter live mostly in the Nile Delta and the Fayoum oasis which are progressively becoming assimilated into bigger cities as urbanization increases.

The Egyptians, from all origins, are known for their welcoming attitude towards tourists. If you respect the local customs and traditions, and avoid offending anyone, especially in places of worship and remote locations where some old traditions are maintained, you are sure to spend an unforgettable holiday in Egypt.

Best Time to Come

Egypt is a rather large country with 2 general seasons, a mild winter and a sunny summer. The majority of Egypt’s landscape is a desert, except for the White Mediterranean coast, the Nile Valley and the Delta.

Between November and March the daytimes are pleasantly warm, whereas evenings and nights are cool and enjoyable in all of Egypt.

In April and May temperatures are generally mild and this is an ideal time to visit any destination in Egypt.

From June to September the weather is very hot, dry in the desert areas and humid in the Nile Valley and on the White Med coast. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and good hydration are essential, and trips to the desert areas aren’t advisable in that period of the year.

Late September and October, as well as April and May are thus ideal for touring Egypt. And the November to February period offers the pleasant balmy weather that is perfect for cruising down the Nile.

The Red Sea Riviera has great weather all year round; it is thus the perfect sun & sea destination to escape to when the sky gets too cloudy back in your homeland.