Egypt

Official name Arab Republic of Egypt
Capital Cairo
Population 62,931,000 (1995)
Life expectancy
Total 64 years
Female 65 years
Male 62 years
Ethnic Divisions
Eastern Hamitic(Egyptians, Bedouin, Berbers) 99%
Greek,Nubian,Armenian, other European 1%

Languages
Arabic(official), English and French widely understood by educated clasess
Religions
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%
Christian and other 6%
Type of government Republic
Independence 28.2.1922 (United Kingdom)
Constitution 11.9.1971
Voting rights at age 18
Unit of currency 1 Egyptian pound, consisting of 100 piastres

Population
Almost all Egyptians live along the Nile; the rest of the country is mostly desert. Cairo, the capital, has between 11 and 14 million inhabitants—an exact count is impossible because of migrants, informal residents, and other factors. Alexandria has a population of 3,577,000 .

Religion
More than 90 per cent of Egyptians are Sunni Muslim. Although Egypt is officially a secular state, Islamic principles strongly influence its laws, business relations, and social customs. The Islamic day of worship is Friday, a day for men to pray at the mosque—as opposed to praying at home or at work as on other days—and to hear a sermon. Women pray at home or in a separate part of the mosque. The laws of Islam are observed daily through dress and dietary codes, prayer, and frequent references to Allah’s will or blessings.



Muslims pray five times daily, always facing Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia. Other religious groups include a significant minority of Coptic Christians (more than 7 million), whose religion dates back to Egypt’s separation from Rome in the 5th century AD.

Diet and eating
Traditional foods include fava beans prepared as foul, or ta'miyya, and flat (unleavened) Egyptian bread. Kofta (minced meat with spices skewered and grilled over a fire) and kebab (similar to kofta but using cubes of meat) are two popular local dishes. Meat is expensive and only eaten occasionally. Bread is eaten with every meal. Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol.

Socializing
Greetings are often elaborate. Phrases used for greetings depend largely on the differences between the individuals’ social classes. Generally, however, friends of the same sex shake hands and kiss on the right and left cheeks. If the greeting comes after a long absence, the kisses may be repeated more than once, sometimes ending with a kiss to the forehead. Men greet women with a handshake only if the woman extends her hand first. Otherwise, the greeting is verbal.

Recreation
Soccer is the national sport, but clubs also offer tennis, swimming, and horse-riding, as well as other sports. In urban areas, many people enjoy going to the cinema where a wide variety of Egyptian and foreign films are shown. The arts are highly valued.

Holiday and celebrating
In Egypt, the western Gregorian calendar is used for all business and government purposes, but the lunar calendar is used to calculate the dates of Muslim holidays. The lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, so holiday dates vary from year to year.



During the month of Ramadan, Muslims go without food or drink between sunrise and sunset. 'Aid el-Fitr, the second most important Islamic holiday, is a three-day feast to celebrate the end of Ramadan
'Aid el-Adha is the most important Islamic holiday. It is observed by those who have not gone on the pilgrimage to Mecca. This holiday commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son at Allah's behest. Allah gave Abraham to substitute a ram for his son.

Libraries and Museums
Among the many outstanding museums in Cairo is the Egyptian Museum, also known as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, which houses a vast collection of relics and artefacts from almost every period of ancient Egypt.

Transport and comunication
People travel by car, bus, taxi, and aeroplane. Cairo has a modern underground system. Egypt’s public transport system is overburdened, particularly in the cities. In rural areas, some people still travel by donkey and camel. Water taxis ply the Nile. There are five main television channels and seven radio stations.

Education
Officially education is compulsory for eight years, and it is free to university level. Universities are located in most urban centres; almost 37 per cent of tertiary students are women.