Location

It is located in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip. The Red Sea is found in the north of Sudan, and it includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula

Area

1,001,450sq km

Climate

desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

Terrain

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

Land Use

2.87% is cultivated.

Natural hazards

Periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms occur frequently.

Demography

Population: 77,505,756 (July 2005 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.78% (2005 est.)
Migration rate: -0.22 migrant(s) per 1,000 population (2005 est.)
Ethnic groups: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

Government

Republic

Administrative Divisions

26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj

Legal system:

based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Currency

Egyptian pound (EGP)

Exchange rates

Egyptian pounds per US dollar - 6.1963 (2004)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

Communication System

Telephones, cellular phones, Internet

Transport System

Railways, waterways, Airports and Highways

Major Cities

Luxor, Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sheik-el-Sharam