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Formally named the Arab Republic of Egypt, Egypt is one of the most populous nations in Africa. Geographical location of Egypt makes it a trans-continental country, located, as it is, mainly in North Africa, with a portion extending into South West Asia. Egypt is a major power to reckon with in the Arab world as well as Africa.

Tourism is a major industry in Egypt given its ancient history and civilization that attract tourists from all over the world. Besides tourism, the Egyptian economy supports agriculture, service and a variety of industries.

The history of Egypt is rich and colorful and extremely popular all over the world, thanks to several films that have been made on the subject. Egyptian history covers a wide time frame, ranging from prehistoric periods to the present day Egypt. The earliest Egyptians were nomads, who eventually settled down on the banks of the river Nile, where the land was extremely fertile and amenable to agriculture.

The earliest rulers of Egypt were the native Pharaoh Kings who ruled the country starting from c.3150 BC. This was a time when culture and arts flourished in the country and the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids were constructed, which are a major tourist draw even today.

Following the Pharaohs, Egypt was occupied by Persians, the Greeks and finally the Ottoman Turks who brought Islam to the country.

Present day Egypt saw a massive revolution recently, forcing dictator, Hosni Mubarak to step down. The country is currently preparing for its first parliamentary elections in over three decades.

Egypt enjoys a moderate climate. The days are warm while the nights get cooler. Along the coastal area, humidity is high. The extremes of temperature along the coast are avoided because of the steady north western winds. The rainy season in Egypt falls in winter.

The population in Egypt is concentrated along the Nile, whereas the interior areas are sparsely populated. Majority of the people living in Egypt are of Egyptian origin, while some of the other ethnic minorities include Turks, Greeks, Berbers (from Algeria). 90% of the Egyptian population follows the Islamic faith, and Christianity and Judaism are also officially recognized.