Egypt Become a Disney Travel Agent Near Me

Travelers have been marveling at Egypt's wondrous antiquities for thousands of years—even the ancient Greeks and Romans were awed by them. But today, a visit to Egypt is more than an immersion into past glories—mud-brick villages sprout TV antennae, stone and glass high-rises tower over ancient monuments, and pop music blaring from radios counterpoints the call to prayer.

Although modern life coexists with the legacies of the past, it has also opened up possibilities for exploring a wider area of Egypt. In addition to the great monuments of the Nile Valley, an Egyptian itinerary could also include diving along the Red Sea coast, a desert trek to remote oases or a visit to the Sinai Peninsula. The hub of transportation—and most likely your first and last stop in the country—remains Cairo, a city that never fails to make a strong impression.

Geography

Although nearly all of Egypt is desert, the small part that isn't—the valley of the Nile River—is vital to the nation (95% of the population lives within a few miles/kilometers of the Nile's banks). Most tours of Egypt—except to desert oases—whether by cruise, train, bus or a private car, never stray too far from the river's shores.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, be aware that Upper Egypt actually refers to the southern part of the country, and Lower Egypt is in the north. This is in relation to the Nile River, which flows through the country from south to north, where it empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world, and among African nations, is second in population only to Nigeria. (Cairo, the continent's most populous city, has 20 million people.)

History

Egypt has been a nation for much longer than most. Menes, the first pharaoh, united Upper and Lower Egypt in 3050 BC, creating a country whose legacy is unmatched in recorded history. Elaborate tombs were designed, magnificent pyramids constructed, and a vast and impressive pantheon of deities was honored in huge temples. Hieroglyphs were etched in stone, detailing everything from the lives of the gods to the lives of the lowest slaves. The Nile was harnessed for irrigation. By any standard, this dynastic society was very successful.

Eventually, however, it fell to outside influences. Conquest of the country by Alexander the Great in 332 BC led to three centuries of Greek rule, followed by a brief but significant period of Roman rule. Arab invaders, who conquered Egypt and introduced Islam around AD 640, have had the most lasting influence. Others who left their mark include the Ottoman Turks, the French and the British.

Egypt won nominal independence from Britain in 1922. The subsequent monarchy came to an end in 1953 with the overthrow of King Farouk. The following year, Gamel Abdel Nasser came to power and ruled with tremendous popular support for 14 years. He was succeeded by Anwar Sadat, who, through both war and diplomacy, established peace with neighboring Israel. His efforts came with a high price: Sadat was assassinated in 1981.

Hosni Mubarak assumed the presidency following Sadat's death and maintained power for five more six-year terms. The Egyptian revolution that began in January 2011, sparked by the Tunisian uprising, ultimately led to Mubarak stepping down in February 2011. Millions of Egyptians demonstrated over issues including corruption and high unemployment rates.

After a period of military rule and continued protests, Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was elected president in 2012, making him the first democratically elected president in the country's history. Mass protests against Morsi’s rule resulted in a military takeover in 2013 by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who was then elected president in 2014. He has taken many measures to strengthen and stabilize the economy, and tourists are returning.

Snapshot

Egypt's main attractions include the pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens near Luxor, Cairo, ancient temples, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, Nile cruises, St. Catherine's monastery, Coptic churches, shopping, desert culture and scuba diving in the Red Sea.

Nearly everyone will enjoy seeing the sights of Egypt. Travelers should be aware that there are areas of the country that are quite poor and some places where standards of sanitation aren't the highest in the world. Some visitors may be bothered by the heat (even during winter), and others may find the amount of walking necessary to see the various temples to be a physical strain. However, if a visit is properly paced for the abilities of the traveler, there shouldn't be problems. All things considered, Egypt's rewards far outweigh its disadvantages.

Potpourri

The scars on the face of the Sphinx are not solely because of erosion: The monument was used for target practice by conquering Ottoman soldiers, French troops or both, depending on whose story you believe.

Egypt's best-kept secret is janzabil, the hot, spicy ginger drink that the Quran calls "the promise of paradise." It's the perfect respiratory and digestive tract cleanser for murky urban air and unfamiliar food. All the sidewalk coffee and shisha (tobacco) shops have it and will be surprised and delighted when you order it.

Expect to see security checks at government buildings and museums. You will often be asked to leave your camera at the security desk.

Friday is the day of worship, when most things are closed at least in the morning (shops in tourist areas may be open). Many stores are closed during prayer hours or all day on Friday, and most Coptic stores are closed on Sunday.

Egypt does not mind the presence of an Israeli visa in your passport (most other Arab countries do). Although Israel cooperates with tourists planning to visit other Arab countries by stamping visas outside the passport, be aware that when traveling overland between Egypt and Israel, your Egyptian exit visa will indicate you crossed at Taba. Immigration officers in other Arab countries may know that the only place to go from Taba is Israel and may refuse to issue visas in passports with a Taba stamp.

There are a number of holidays, streets, neighborhoods and even a museum in Cairo commemorating Egypt's victory over Israel in various wars. Although interesting to observe, it is not recommended that you bring up political views with the locals.

It is not considered to be proper for men and women to exhibit signs of affection or closeness in public. However, it is common to see men walking arm in arm with each other; women likewise.