Egypt

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Egypt General Information

Egypt is one of the most populated countries in Africa and the Middle East with population of around 77 million people, living mainly on the delta of Nile River. The huge sites of Sahara are populated here rarely populated. Half of the population in Egypt is living in the urban regions, mainly in Cairo and Alexandria.
The pyramids  are only the tip of the archeological iceberg  in Egypt. Pharaonic nations, the ancient Greeks, Romans, Christian and Arab dynasties, they all have their role in the archeological wealth of the country.

Tourism in Egypt

The main tourists attractions in Egypt:
Giza
Around 20km southwest of Cairo are located the most fascinating and oldest monuments in the world, dating from 26 BC. The complex consist of ancient Egyptian royal tombs and holy buildings including the Sphinx.

Saqqara
30km south of Cairo is taking place huge, ancient tomb, which served as necropolis of the ancient Egyptian capital Memphis. It consists of numerous pyramids, including the oldest step-pyramid, as well as some ancient Egyptian tombs.

Luxor
Around 500km south of Cairo is located the city of Thebes, sometimes called "the most greatest open air museum". It includes the ruins of the temples of Karnak and Luxor. On the other side of Nile River lies monuments, temples and tombs on the western side of the necropolis, which includes the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens.

Abu Simbel
850km south of Cairo is located archeological place, consisting of 2 massive rock temples carved in the mountain side during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC.

Al-Sokhna
100km east of Cairo is located Al-Sokhna, characterized with numerous hotels and beach resorts like Stela and Porto Al Sokhna.

Weather in Egypt

The days in Egypt are either worm or hot, the nights are cool. Egypt has only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and hot summer from May until October. The only difference between the seasons are the day temperatures and the changes of the winds. In the coastal regions the temperatures vary between minimum of 14°C during winter and average of around 30°C during the summer.
The temperatures vary in the inner desert regions, especially during summer, when they can reach from 7°C at night to 43°C at day. During the winter, the temperatures in the desert can reach 0°C at night and 18°C at day.
At north the cooler temperatures in Alexandria during the summer have made the city very popular resort. In Aswan at June, the temperatures can drop down to 10°C at night and to reach 41°C at day with clear sky.

Main Cities in Egypt

Cairo

Cairo and its region are considered the heart of Egypt, where you can spot almost every aspect of the country, including some of the most famous Pharaonic, ancient Christian and Islamic monuments. Cairo offers amazing choice for shopping, relaxation, culture and night life. Your first shopping stop would be no doubt the famous Han El-halili, unchanged since 14 century. There also enough modern air conditioned centers offering the latest fashion. The whole generosity of the East is here - perfumes, gold, silver, rugs, leather works, glass and ceramics. Try some of the most famous street shops like Mohamed Ali street for musical instruments, or the very colorful Camel Market, although it's not likely to buy something from there.
When you are in need of relaxation of the urban life, you can play gold, watch horse racings or to visit the zoo or the botanical gardens, sail on Nile or ride from Giza to Saqqara. For one day trip outside of Cairo, you can visit Haran and see the beauty of the tapestry, hand made from the local people. If you want you can rid of everything and to go on the top of the Cairo Tower, modern 187m tower with view to the whole city from all sides with restaurant on the top.
Cairo show its colors at night, when is the best time for shopping or going out of the town. There are cabarets with oriental dancers and musicians, even floating in the Nile River restaurant. The Opera House complex contains few galleries, including museum of modern art, restaurants and concert halls. Listening to Arab music under the sky in the open air theatre is magical experience. And of course the biggest show after dusk is the show Light and Sound on the Pyramids.

Alexandria

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, is famous like the "pearl of the Mediterranean". The social environment and cultural heritage of the city differentiate Alexandria from the rest of Egypt, although it's only 225km from Cairo. In Alexandria is located one of the Seven Wonders of the World - Faros lighthouse. Except for the stormy relation between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria has been cultural center of the ancient world. But the city declined and by the time Napoleon came, he saw only fishing village. Today the city offers rich variety of choices for fun for the tourists and it's preferred destination destination in Egypt. You can see a lot of museum, historical monuments, religious places, beaches, shopping and sports, and even a casino, which is open only for foreigners.

Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is famous for its sun, five star hotels, water sports, shopping and fun. This is one of the most developed and easy reachable touristic resorts in Egypt. You can see the Bedouins everywhere around, colorful tents, mountain and water. There are small discrete hotels and big hotel complexes of famous international chains, plus all the good stuff typical for top touristic resort, like touristic center, casinos, discotheques, night clubs, golf courses, and health care. 4 miles south of the city there are ricks with magnificent view to the seaport. The Naama Beach is one of the touristic centers in the town. It is positioned north of Sharm, and the region around it looks like separate resort town. Most of the hotels there have their own private beaches with all extras included.

Hurghada

Hurghada was found in the early 20 century and it was small fishing village until recently. But today, it's the most desired touristic resort on the coasts of Red Sea and international center for water sports, like wind surfing, swimming, diving and sailing. The unique underwater gardens around the coast are one of the most beautiful in the world, and most favored between the divers. The worm water are ideal for many different kinds of rare fish and coral reefs, which can be seen through the transparent bottom of some boats there. While you are in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and the aquarium, where is gathered full collection of the flora and fauna of Red Sea.
Hurghada is favored like city for party and fun, mostly among the Europeans. Everyone will tell you, that the life there starts at night, when the numerous night clubs open doors. Other thing that make the town famous are the beaches, where thousands of tourists are going with their families to enjoy the sun and the calmness of the clean private beaches of the hotels. Some of these hotels offer so many things that you may consider not going out in the town.
The islands around Hurghada are also offering big choice of how to have fun and the one day trips aren't anything uncommon.

Luxor

Luxor is often called "the biggest open air museum" and it really is, and even much more. Luxor is divided into 3 parts, the city of Luxor on the east side of Nile, the city of Karnak north of Luxor, and Thebes on the west side of Nile just across Luxor. Today Luxor is very good prepared to meet tourists with its numerous hotels and attractions. In Luxor there are 3 main streets - Sharia el Mahata, Sharia el Karnak and the Coastal, right next to Nile River. The street in front of the train station is Sharia el Mahata which continue to the gardens of the Luxor Temple. Sharia el Karnak, continue from the Luxor Temple to the Karnak Temple. Along this street you can find many colorful restaurants and cafes, also bazaars where you can find most souvenirs. Most of the modern part of the town is actually made in the ancient architectural code. The National Bank of Egypt, the SPA centers and even the train station are all made to look like pharaonic buildings. This is consequence of the Egyptianization of the town that started after the Tutankhamon tomb was found. Although the town have all the extras - hotels, bars, night clubs and restaurants, as it's expected from touristic destination.
In luxor, on the eastern side, one of your first stops would be the Temple of Luxor built from Amenophis II. South on Sharia el Karnak you can reach the temple, which was connected with the Temple of Karnak via long rock street. The street is enclosed with sphinxes on both sides. After leaving Luxor you can go trough Sharia el Karnak on north to Karnak. On the way, next to the police station is located the oldest mosque in Luxor - El-Mekashkesh where the remains of a Islam saint from 10 century are kept. There you can also see the Franciscan church and its schools, one for boys and one for girls. Down the road you can find the Museum of Mummification, where you can learn everything for the mummies.

Aswan

Aswan is located on the east coast of Nile River and is animated touristic shopping center. This is one of the most dry places in the world, in the early 2001 the last rain was 6 years earlier. In many Nubian villages the people don't even make roof for all of their rooms. Aswan is favorite winter resort since the beginning of 19 century. Every night Nubian dancers and musicians are making live shows in the Cultural center. Aswan was considered the frontier town in Ancient Egypt to south.

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