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Egypt Travel Directory and Guide THE REPUBLIC OF EGYPT Egypt is located at the north Eastern corner of Africa. It is bordered by Sudan in the South, the Mediterranean Sea in the north, Israel and the Red Sea in the east and Libya to the west. Cairo is the capital city of Egypt and it is 386,650 square miles (slightly smaller than Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas combined). The main languages spoken are Arabic, English and French. It is divided into four ethnic divisions that is; Egyptian, Bedouin, Arab and Nubian. 94% of the total population is Sunni Muslims and 6% are Coptic Christian. Egypt Travel Guide and Directory Egypt has no significant tourists’ peak season and the main currency used is Egyptian pound. The total population of Egypt based on 2001 population census is 69.8 million people.
The bulk of the country is covered by the Sahara, which north of Aswan is usually called the Libyan Desert, East of the Nile, the Arabian Desert extends to the Red Sea. The Western Desert consists of low-lying sand dunes and many depressions. The outstanding geographical feature is the Nile River, on which human existence depends, for its annual floods provide the water necessary for agriculture. South of Cairo, most of the country (known as Upper Egypt) is a tableland rising to some 457m (1,500 ft), and the narrow valley of the Nile is enclosed by cliffs as high as 548m (1,800 ft). A series of cascades and rapids at Aswan, known as the First Cataract, forms a barrier to movement upstream. Most of Egypt is subtropical area, but the southern part of Upper Egypt is tropical. Northern winds temper the climate along the Mediterranean, but the interior areas are very hot. The temperature sinks quickly after sunset because of the high radiation rate under cloudless skies. Rainfall averages about 2 inches a year, but sudden storms sometimes cause devastating flash floods. Precipitation often approaches 8 inches annually on the Mediterranean coast. Hot dry sandstorms, known as Khamsin, come off the Western desert in spring. In Cairo, average temperatures range from 7 to 29°C (45 to 85°F) in January, while July averages range from 21.6 to 35.5° C (71 to 96° F). Relative humidity varies from 68% in February to over 70% in August to 77% in December. The winter months are considered to be December, January and February.
All national visiting Egypt except those of Malta and Arab countries are obliged to obtain Visas. These can either be obtained from your home country at the port and airport of arrival. If travelling overland visas can be acquired from neighboring countries without much of a problem except Israel. You can apply for either a single entry visa which warrants the holder to a stay of up to one month and is valid for presentation for up to three months, or you can apply for a multiple entry visa which is limited for up to three visits. There is normally a two week grace period beyond the expiry date of your visa. Visas can be extended for up to a period of six months but you will normally be required to show you have adequate currency to support your stay. And for this case therefore; you have to show bank receipts to verify that you have changed sufficient money. Credit card receipts for purchases or cash advances are generally not accepted. It is no longer a requirement for nationals entering Egypt to register with the police within one week of arrival - this was abolished early 1997.
1 Egyptian Pound (E£) =100 piastres (pt)
Banking centres are customarily open Sunday to Thursday from 0830 to 1400 hours Local time in Egypt is Noon GMT which is equivalent to 2.00 p.m. TRANSPORT
Bus: An efficient bus services is available to and from all the major cities in the country including the Sinai. Ferries: Ferries run amid South Sinai and Jordan, Egypt and Sudan, and Sharm el-sheikh and Hurghada TRAVEL INSURANCE Note should however be taken that compensations will only be done to those clients who have been treated by licensed medical personnel. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. HOTELS IN EGYPT TOURISTS INFORMATION Nature Tourism; Egypt also offers nature and desert treks, great scuba diving and even golf, sports fishing and birding expeditions. One may choose to relax on the astounding Egypt Red Sea or Sinai coasts, take in the high culture of Cairo, or even tranquil float down the Egyptian Nile on a luxurious river boat. CULTURE CUSTOMS AND CONDUCT Yet when westerners visit Egypt they are often anxious. Their views of Egyptians and Arabs, stirred up by unkind and untrue media stories, frequently bear no relation to reality. Travelers are repeatedly astonished by their friendly, hospitable reception and take home with them good feelings about Egypt and its population. Women Traveling Alone; In Egypt, a woman traveling alone is generally safe, but she will be discerned, less in large cities than in the country. However, if problems do occur, try to find help from the police or any shop nearby. Although you probably will never be accosted, take simple defense as you would anywhere: don't walk in deserted areas alone. Although most invitations are innocent, don't recognize help from strangers. In general, Egyptians are hospitable and they
will go out of their way to give you help and respond to any questions
you may ask them. • A warm friendly handshake is a common greeting. Men only shake hands with a woman if she extends her hand. Personal space between men is very close • The right hand is only used or eating. Do not offer the left hand or offer food with the left hand • Do not show or point sole of food to another person. Pointing at a person is impolite. • Tipping (local known as Baksheesh) is important for personal services. • Eat finger food only with the right hand. It is considered impolite to eat every thing on your plate. Tips should be provided for all. Typical foods include rice, fish, lamb, chicken, turkey, tomatoes, yoghurt, cucumbers and stuffed vegetables.
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