Egypt, formally known as the Arab Republic of Egypt, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The pyramids, the sphinx and the temples of Karnac testify to Egypt's legacy as a majestic and wondrous civilization. Modern-day Egypt is a charming mixture of the ancient and new.
Egypt is bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, Israel and the Red Sea to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. With the exception of the Nile Valley and Delta, Egypt is mostly desert. Summers are hot and dry, with high temperatures ranging from 32 C (90 F) in Alexandria on the northern coast to over 44 C (110 F) in Luxor and Aswan in the extreme southern part of the country. Temperatures exceeding 55 C (131 F) have been recorded in parts of the Sahara. Winters are mild with some rain; days are usually sunny while nights are chilly. Dust storms can be severe in April and May.
Taxis run from Cairo International Airport to downtown Cairo. There are several options for getting around the country. Rental cars are available, but driving conditions are frenetic and driving is best left to the locals so you may want to hire a driver with your rental car. Tour buses serve all tourist attractions. Trains, including overnight sleeper cars, are an option. Egypt Air is the major carrier though Northwest, Delta, American Airlines, and US Airways also offer service. Other popular carriers include Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Royal Jordanian, Iberia and Swiss Air. Air travel is available to major spots around the country, and riverboats ply the waters of the Nile from Cairo to Aswan.
Visitors have a number of hotel options particularly in the cities of Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh. Prices vary according to accommodations.
Arabic is the official language and French and English are fairly common. Islam is the predominant religion, though about 5 percent of the population is Coptic Christian. If visiting a mosque, remove your shoes and do not let them touch the floor. Women must cover their heads. Bare shoulders and legs are also unacceptable for both women and men inside a mosque.
Women should dress conservatively at all times and not wear shorts away from the beach or pool (although the dress code is more relaxed in Cairo and other urban centers where shorts and sleeveless tops on tourists are common). Women should travel with other women or a known male escort to avoid potential verbal sexual harassment. Men should not speak to or shake hands with an Egyptian woman unless she initiates the action.
Communications technology in Cairo and the major tourist sites is adequate. Most of the larger international hotels have international direct dial phone capability, faxes and Internet connections. Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor and a few other tourist locations have Internet cafes that are growing in popularity. Egypt's GSM 900 mobile network covers the major populated areas along the Nile, the Delta and the coastal regions of the Sinai.
Egypt is a very good value by U.S. and European standards. Food is very affordable and lodging, depending on your standard of accommodation, is inexpensive. Transportation and site admission expenses vary the most.
Despite the fact that Islamic militants staged four attacks in seven months in 2004-2005 in Egypt, the threat of terrorism has decreased significantly due to efforts by the Egyptian police and anti-terrorism organizations. Since the Palestinian Al-Aqsa Intifada (uprising) in September 2000, tensions and anti-U.S. sentiment in the Middle East have been on the rise, and Egypt is no exception. Be constantly aware of your surroundings, safeguard personal belongings, practice common sense personal security procedures and avoid demonstrations. Avoid traveling to border areas near the Gaza Strip.
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