Southwest Asia/North Africa (The Middle East)

Egypt

Climate Most of Egypt is covered by huge stretches of dry, dusty desert – The Sahara Around the Nile River is some of the best farmland in the world Summers are hot, winters mild

Aswan Dam Built to control flooding of the Nile River.

The Suez Canal For centuries, ships sailing from Europe to Asia had to go all the way around Africa. Then the British, French, and Egyptians built the Suez Canal. It stretches for 100 miles (160 km) from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Now the canal is always filled with giant ships taking oil and other goods across this shortcut. It takes from 11 to 16 hours for a ship to make its way through the canal

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The Sinai Peninsula Location of Suez canal Separates Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea

The Sinai lies along the Egyptian/Israeli border The Bible, Torah, and Qur’an all talk about Moses’ 40 year journey through the Sinai. 30,000 tourists a year visit and scale the top of Mount Sinai.

Language Arabic Hello Ahlan wa sahlan (AH-lan wa SAH- lan)

Religion Most of the population is Muslim

Veiling 90% of women in Egypt wear a veil. It is an intrinsic part of becoming a woman. The majority of women who choose to cover themselves wear the hijab.

Some choose the burka

Alaa El-Saad, a student at Connally High School, wrote an article that was published on NPR’s website. Listen to her story on deciding to wear the hijab. Listen: America’s Beauty Is In Its DiversityAmerica’s Beauty Is In Its Diversity

There is much debate over whether or not wearing the hijab or the burka treats women like second class citizens in Egypt. For most Egyptian women, it is a matter of personal choice to bring them closer to Allah or to blend in with their community. However, are some forced by their families or society to wear them?

Dating and Marriage Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Traditionally, marriages were arranged between heads of families, often with little input from the couple involved. Weddings are lavish and costly, lasting up to three days. A family-reform law enacted in 2000 allows women to initiate divorce on grounds of incompatibility; previously, it was nearly impossible for women to get a divorce on any grounds. Under the law, women are not entitled to alimony and must return any money given at the time of marriage.

Economy Chief industries include food processing, textiles, chemicals, cement, petroleum, and metals.

Education Elementary school is free Most classrooms have 50+ students! Many poor families need their children to stay home and work on the farm. Only 50% of the population can read and write!

War with Israel In 1954 Nasser and the other Arab leaders were angry that the Jewish state of Israel was created. Egypt fought two wars against Israel in 1956 and 1967 Anwar el-Sadat signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1979.