Egypt is a country in northeast Africa and the Sinai Peninsula in Asia, with a population of about 110 million people. It borders Libya, Palestine, Sudan, Israel, and has access to the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The area of the territory is almost 998,000 km2. The capital is Cairo.
Egypt is known for its ancient history, majestic pyramids and the Nile, the longest river in the world. In 1952, Egypt became a republic, followed by decades of political and economic reforms.
Egypt is one of numerous international organizations, including the UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank, African Union (AU) and the League of Arab States (LAS). The country is also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and participates in UN peacekeeping missions. Egypt is actively cooperating with the European Union in an effort to strengthen trade ties and economic cooperation. The country plays a key role in the political and economic affairs of the Middle East and Africa.
Climatic conditions
The climate of Egypt is characterized by pronounced seasonality and significant temperature fluctuations. The territory is characterized by hot, dry summers, especially in desert regions, where precipitation is extremely rare and occurs every few years. Winters are mild, but still noticeable. During the day, the temperature in the resorts of the Red Sea remains at 18-20° C, but at night it can get much colder, up to minus values in the deserts.
Precipitation in Egypt is extremely rare and varies greatly depending on the region. In the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, about 200 mm of precipitation falls per year, while in the central and southern desert regions, precipitation may not fall for years. In desert areas such as the Sahara, the annual rainfall does not exceed 10 mm. Most of the country receives less than 50 mm of precipitation annually, making Egypt one of the driest countries in the world.
Egypt has a predominantly desert climate with very hot weather in the summer months, when temperatures can reach 40°C and above. However, in some mountainous areas, such as Sinai, snow can be seen in winter.
Demographics
As of 2024, Egypt's population exceeds 110 million people, making it the most populous Arab state. The majority of the population are ethnic Egyptians (about 90%). Copts (9%), who are the largest Christian minority, and other ethnic groups, including Bedouins and Nubians (1%), also live in the country. It is also home to about 90,000 refugees and displaced persons, mostly Palestinians and Sudanese, representatives of non-governmental tribal groups. These people are seeking asylum in the country due to the difficult political and economic situation in their home countries.
The official and main language of communication in the country is Arabic, with an Egyptian dialect used in everyday life. English and French are common in the business and tourism sectors.
About 90% of the population professes Sunni Islam, which makes it the dominant religion. Christianity is represented mainly by the Coptic Orthodox Church, to which 9% of the population belongs.
Economy
More than 60% of Egypt's gross domestic product is generated by the services sector, which includes tourism, financial services and trade. The second most important component of the economy is agriculture, in particular, the production of rice, wheat and cotton. Egypt's main exports are oil and gas, as well as textiles and agro–industrial products.
The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP), which is divided into 100 piastres. In recent years, the exchange rate of the Egyptian pound has fluctuated significantly, and in 2023 it was about 30 EGP per 1 US dollar. These changes are related to economic reforms and changes in market policy. The Egyptian pound is actively used in settlements, both in the domestic market and in international trade.
The exact GDP of Egypt for 2024 has not yet been finalized and may be adjusted as more recent data become available. As of 2023, this figure is $395.9 billion. The annual inflation rate according to the Exchange Portal in 2024 was 38%. About 30% of the country's population lives below the poverty line, which creates significant social challenges.
Despite this, the economy is showing moderate growth rates due to the influx of investments and infrastructure development. The disadvantages include high dependence on foreign markets and a significant level of public debt. It is also worth noting the growing population, which creates additional difficulties for economic development.
Freedom of movement (visa-free countries)
The advantage of Egyptian citizenship is the freedom of movement, which allows you to travel to 66 countries on a visa-free basis. Of these, 21 countries do not require a visa to enter, and for 45 countries, a visa on arrival is sufficient.
Egypt's passport ranks 80th in the world ranking (immediately followed by Niger), which gives its holders certain advantages in international travel. In most cases, the length of stay is 90 days over a 180-day period, which is important to consider when planning travel.
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