Egypt is a country located in North Africa; however, part of its territory, namely the Sinai Peninsula, lies in the continent of Asia, making it a transcontinental country. The capital city of Egypt is Cairo, and the country practices a republican system of government led by a president. The official language of Egypt is Arabic, while the main religion practiced by the majority of its population is Islam.
With a population of more than 110 million people, Egypt is one of the most populous countries on the African continent. Geographically, Egypt is famous for the Nile River, which serves as the lifeline for life and agriculture, while most of its territory consists of desert areas, including the Sahara Desert.
Egypt’s economy depends on several key sectors such as tourism, petroleum, agriculture, light industry, and revenue from the Suez Canal, which is an important global shipping route. Historically, Egypt is known as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, namely Ancient Egyptian Civilization, which is renowned for its pharaohs, pyramids, and hieroglyphic writing. The country was once colonized by several foreign powers including the Romans, Arabs, the Ottoman Turks, and the British before gaining independence in 1952.
Among the iconic landmarks found in Egypt are the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, the Suez Canal, and the Nile River, which stands as an important symbol of the country’s history and culture.