Egypt (Arabic: مِصر Miṣr), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is a Mediterranean country bordered by the Gaza Strip (Palestine) and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. Across the Gulf of Aqaba lies Jordan, across the Red Sea lies Saudi Arabia, and across the Mediterranean lie Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, although none share a land border with Egypt.
Egypt has one of the longest histories of any country, tracing its heritage back to the 6th–4th millennia BCE. Considered a cradle of civilisation, Ancient Egypt saw some of the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, urbanisation, organised religion and central government. Iconic monuments such as the Giza Necropolis and its Great Sphinx, as well the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings, reflect this legacy and remain a significant focus of scientific and popular interest.
Egypt's long and rich cultural heritage is an integral part of its national identity, which has endured, and often assimilated, various foreign influences, including Greek, Persian, Roman, Arab, Ottoman Turkish, and Nubian.
Egypt was an early and important centre of Christianity, but was largely Islamised in the seventh century and remains a predominantly Muslim country, albeit with a significant Christian minority
Egypt, the land of Pharaohs and a country with Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza's colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor's hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs.
I. Cairo
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world. Its metropolitan area, with a population of over 30 million, is the largest in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East, and the 6th-largest in the world. Cairo is associated with ancient Egypt, as the famous Giza pyramid complex and the ancient city of Memphis are located in its geographical area. Located near the Nile Delta, Cairo was founded in 969 AD by the Fatimid dynasty, but the land composing the present-day city was the site of ancient national capitals whose remnants remain visible in parts of Old Cairo. Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life, and is titled "the city of a thousand minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture.
Cairo is considered a World City with a "Beta +" classification according to GaWC.
Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab world, as well as the world's second-oldest institution of higher learning, Al-Azhar University. Many international media, businesses, and organizations have regional headquarters in the city; the Arab League has had its headquarters in Cairo for most of its existence.
With a population of over 9 million spread over 3,085 square kilometers (1,191 sq mi), Cairo is by far the largest city in Egypt. An additional 9.5 million inhabitants live in close proximity to the city. Cairo, like many other megacities, suffers from high levels of pollution and traffic. The Cairo Metro is one of the only two metro systems in Africa (the other being in Algiers, Algeria), and ranks amongst the fifteen busiest in the world,[8] with over 1 billion[9] annual passenger rides. The economy of Cairo was ranked first in the Middle East in 2005,[10] and 43rd globally on Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index.
In Cairo Museum, Its amazing to observe that, Boy King Tutankhamen is considered as still a Royalty in Museum and officials baring to take any photos of His belongings, , But other Items can be taken.It is estimated that, King Tut ( short Name) had died some where around 1350 BC. That means , more than 3400 Years ago [ 100 Years back to that time, European Aryan tribes entered in India, destroyed Indus Valley Civilisation ( IVC )
brought new religion and a dirty system known as caste system,and Indians are unable to come of this system only practised in India for last 3500 years and made India as a poor country. Simple, 10% of population enjoys 90% of country resoruces, naturally, rest of the 90% of the country must depend on 10% left, will remain as a poor ]
One will be astonished about the craftsmanship of solid gold Items provided for his afterlife during that period.Its a well advanced civilization in the world at that time. Particularly, His golden death mask and His golden dagger with micro-graining of the handle.It's a wonderful experience to observe these 3400 years old objects of 5000 numbers in total.
There is a Monumental Burial Chamber , where King Tut's Mummy has been discovered by British Archaeologist , Howard Carter in 1922, as they say, rest is history.
Another nice city, El Minya located 250 kms from Cairo and source of one of the world's largest calcite reserves and aptly located in the banks of Nile river and home to legendary Nafretiti, Great Royal Wife of Akhenaten, an Egyptian Pharaoh.
The Nile, probably,longest river in world with flowing span of 6650 kms covering 11 countries in Africa and also main water resource for Egypt and Sudan. Its a north-flowing river in Africa, famed for its ancient history and the archaeological sites along its shores.
The fertile Lower Nile gave rise to early Egyptian civilization and is still home to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza near Cairo.
Taking photos near Mother Nile River is always a entralling Experience.
Cairo is home after home in Egypt any International Traveller...
II. El Minya
Another Important City in Egypt is El Minya, and generally known as Minya.
It is the capital of the Minya Governoratein Upper Egypt. It is located approximately 245 km (152 mi) south of Cairo on the western bank of the Nile River, which flows north through the city. The name of the city is derived from its Ancient Egyptian name Men'at Khufu, meaning the nursing city of Khufu, linking it to the Pharaoh Khufu or Cheops, builder of the Great Pyramid at Giza.
Minya is dubbed by the locals "Bride of Upper Egypt", in reference to its strategic location in Middle Egypt as a vital link between the north and the south of Egypt. Minya has one of the highest concentration of Coptic Christians in Egypt (approximately 50% of total population).
It is the home city of the Minya University, Suzanne Mubarak Center for Arts, the new Minya Museum, and the regional North of Upper Egypt Radio and Television.
El Minya also holds the one of the largest Calcite Mineral Deposits in the World.
III. Beni Suef
Beni Suef is the capital of the governorate of the same name in Egypt, located to the south of Greater Cairo in the Nile Valley. It is of archaeological and agricultural importance. This region connects the north of Egypt to the south, and the east to the west, and this identity of centrality has formed the population, civilization, and economic characters of the region.
Beni Suef is a historical site occupied during all eras of Egyptian history. The Medom pyramid - the second-oldest pyramid was built here by "King Hony", the last king of the third family. Construction was completed by his son King Senefro, the first king of the fourth family and the father of King Khufu. Other archaeological treasures of the province include the Bani Grand Pyramid, the Coptic monuments of the churches and monasteries, including the monastery of Anaboloa, the monastery of St. Anthony in the center of Nasser and the church of the Virgin Mary in the village of Bayad al-Arab, east of the Nile.
The land of the province of Beni Suef throughout the ancient Egyptian history witnessed significant events in the Midum of the center of Wasti Royal cemetery took an important step towards access The whole pyramid form and in the incomplete pyramid of King Honi the last kings of the third and tenth family and had a prominent role in the ancient Egyptian beliefs and the province boasts many important archaeological sites dating back to prehistoric times and throughout the ancient Egyptian history as well as in the era of Hellenistic settlement in Egypt.
Today, Beni Suef is one Industrial Zones of Egypt and Significant Agricultural belt flourishing on the sides of Nile River..
IV. Hurghada
Harghada is a city in the Red Sea Governorateof Egypt. It is one of the country's main tourist centres located on the Red Sea coast.
The city was founded in the early 20th century, and until recently it was a small fishing village. But since the 1980s, it has been continually enlarged by Egyptian and foreign investors to become the leading coastal resort on the Red Sea. Holiday resorts and hotels provide aquatic sport facilities forwindsurfers,kitesurfers,yachtsmen,scuba diversandsnorkelers. Hurghada is known for itswatersportsactivities, nightlife and warm weather
Hurghada stretches for about 36 kilometres (22 mi) along the seashore, and it does not reach far into the surrounding desert. The resort is a destination for Egyptian tourists from Cairo, the Delta and Upper Egypt, as well aspackage holidaytourists from Europe.
V. Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam is a town in south-eastern Egypt, located on the western shore of the Red Sea. It is currently seeing fast increasing popularity as a tourist destination and development following the opening of Marsa Alam International Airport in 2003.
Among the most famous beaches around Marsa Alam is the Abu Dabab beach. In Abu Dabab, turtles are a common sight. For tourists who seek to see something less typical, there is marine wildlife like crocodilefish and octopuses.
Marsa Alam is also known as the world-class kitesurfing destination and perfect starting point to safaris.
Marsa Alam also has some inland attractions, such as the Emerald Mines and the Temple of Seti I at Khanais.
Pic : Dawn at the Red Sea, Marsa Alam.
Epilogue
In Nutshell, After visiting Egypt for several times, One will feel that, we have visited one of the Oldest Civilisations in the World and can feel the Grandeur of the Historical Monuments.
Visiting Spinx and Pyramids at Giza is memorable and life long experience, as needless to say, They are Greatest Wonders of the World.
Mother Nile River has Biblical Importance and experience of Nile River is glorious memory in life...
Egypt, The Land of Pharaohs , Cradle of Human Civilisation will be mesmerising the World forever with its Ancient Arcthitectural Marvels, Monuments and Mummies....!!
MM Rao
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