Egyptian Facts

Egyptian Attire Egypt is a country with a strong Muslim culture, and therefore it is essential to be modestly dressed (half sleeves) at all times, especially when in town. While sightseeing in summer, bare shoulders are found unacceptable. When visiting Mosques, wear long pants (for both men & women) or a long skirt covering the ankles.

Language  The official language in Egypt is Arabic, however, English and French are widely spoken.

Religion  Egypt is an Islamic country which means that Islam is the predominant religion. But all types of Christianity are represented too.

Egyptian Music  Music formed an important part of Egyptian life, and musicians occupied a variety of positions in Egyptian society. Music found its way into many contexts in Egypt: temples, palaces, workshops, farms, battlefields and the tomb. Music was an integral part of religious worship in ancient Egypt, so it is not surprising that there were gods specifically associated with music, such as Hathor and Bes.

Map of Egypt

Transportation  Transport facilities in Egypt are centered in Cairo and largely follow the pattern of settlement along the Nile. The main line of the nation's 4,800- kilometer (2,800-mi.) railway network runs from Alexandria to Aswan. The well-maintained road network has expanded rapidly to over 21,000 miles, covering the Nile Valley and Nile Delta, Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, the Sinai, and the Western oases.  Egypt Air provides reliable domestic air service to major tourist destinations from its Cairo hub, in addition to overseas routes. The Nile River system (about 1,600 km. or 1,000 mi.) and the principal canals (1,600 km.) are important locally for transport.  The Suez Canal is a major waterway of international commerce and navigation, linking the Mediterranean and Red Sea. The ministry of transportation, along with other governmental bodies are responsible for transportation in Egypt. Major ports are Alexandria, Port Said, and Damietta on the Mediterranean, and Suez and Safaga on the Red Sea

Egyptian Gods Man's first gods were the forces of nature. Terrifying and unpredictable, they were feared rather than revered by our ancestors. Yet while much of the world was in darkness, worshipping cruel incarnations of natural forces, a river valley in Africa held a people who followed a different path. They worshipped gods that were beautiful to behold, luminous beings that walked the earth, guiding the human race to Paradise. They had human forms but were much more powerful; yet like humans, they got angry, despaired, fought with one another, had children, and fell in love. They lived lives that were very much like those of the people who worshipped them, the ancient Egyptians.

Temples The temples were was the House of Worships to the many the Gods and Goddesses the ancient Egyptians worshipped. All was to be kept clean and in order according to the laws of Maat.If not - the god or goddess would leave and great unrest would result for Egypt.

Temple of Luxor

Inner Temple

The Great Temple of Abu Simbel

Temple of Isis Poster

The coffin in which Tutankhamun was entombed was made from 110 kilograms of gold. The image of the pharaoh holds a crook and flail that symbolized royal power in ancient Egypt. The treasures of Tutankhamun are now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.Tutankhuman

Anubis, a guardian of the dead, in the tomb of Twosret and Setnakhte. Anubis

The god Ptah, a creator deity, in the tomb of Ramesses III. Ptab

The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. When we stand before these Old Kingdom monuments, it can be hard to comprehend their huge size or their great age. Pyramids of Giza

The mysterious Great Sphinx presides over the Giza necropolis. The Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza.