The area of Egypt. Egypt on the world map

This country is well known for each of its ancient history, great dynasties of the past and majestic monumental architecture. However, the modernity of Egypt is also of great interest for study, because it is one of the most dynamic and influential countries in the Middle East, the events in which affect the balance in the whole region.

The greatness and power of a poor country

Despite the fact that the area of Egypt is more than a million square kilometers, most of the economic activity is traditionally concentrated along the banks of the Nile - one of the greatest rivers on the planet, nourished with moisture the ancient civilizations of the East. For more than five thousand years, a culture has flourished in the northeast of the African continent, and every civilization in this region had its own center.

The modern capital of Egypt was founded in the 10th century. Arab rulers and bears the imprint of Islamic rule, including Ottoman rule. The city is full of old mosques and religious schools of different levels, in addition, it houses one of the most prestigious Islamic universities.

As the population of Egypt grew, the number of metropolitan residents also increased. Urbanization occurred in the country rapidly, and over several decades the population of Cairo reached eight million people, but the overall standard of living while remaining relatively low.

Description of Egypt. Geography and economics

The population of ninety million people makes Egypt a truly serious player on the world stage. Despite the fact that the area of Egypt for the most part cover unsuitable for the permanent residence of the desert, the industry in industrial centers is developing very dynamically.

Traditionally, Egypt is divided into four historical and economic regions: Lower, forming along the vast Nile delta, Middle, Upper and Nubia. At the same time, in Upper Egypt there is a pronounced mountainous landscape, with rich deposits in minerals.

In the delta of the Nile, stretching along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea for two hundred kilometers, there have long been seaports, already at the time of the pharaohs served as sea gates for all of eastern Africa.

The importance for the world transport system Egypt has not lost today. The Suez Canal , which has operated for 150 years, still has no alternative and brings to the treasury of Egypt more than four billion dollars.

One country - two continents

The Sinai Peninsula occupies a special place in the history, economy and geography of the country. After Israel stopped the fifteen-year occupation, the area of Egypt increased by 61 thousand kilometers. In addition, many of the Israeli settlements left on the peninsula have been used to this day. For example, Sharm el-Sheikh grew up just on the site of such a settlement.

The Sinai Peninsula lies in Asia, and this makes Egypt one of the unique states - along with Turkey and Russia, whose territory is located in two parts of the world.

The main branch of the economy is tourism

Due to the fact that the arid deserts occupy a large area of Egypt, agriculture has never become the leading branch of the country's economy and many products have to be exported to Egyptians.

However, a large number of sunny days per year allowed the country to occupy a very special niche in the European market. Egypt has become a pan-European resort with good service, unique climate and relatively low cost.

The country is also of special interest for connoisseurs of cultural tourism. It is worth noting that the area of Egypt allows you to accommodate a huge number of historical monuments for every taste. And not only the pyramids limited list of objects of cultural heritage.

Alexandria. The cultural capital of the country

Even in ancient times, Alexandria Egyptian was well known as the cultural and scientific center of the Mediterranean, it could confidently compete in the field of knowledge production with Athens and Rome themselves.

At the turn of the first millennium the city was inhabited by about a million people, and life in it was arranged according to the best examples of the ancient world. The best scientists and poets glorified the city throughout the civilized world, and ordinary citizens could enjoy a comfortable life with gardens, canals and running water.

True, all these benefits are available to those who lived within the urban environment that surrounded the city.

Inside the city wall were the royal palaces, the residences of wealthy citizens, the Acropolis and numerous temples, including the sanctuary of Poseidon, and later - Neptune. Unfortunately, due to the rise in sea level, many of these beautiful structures have not reached us, but have appeared at the bottom of the sea, where their research seems problematic.

Development prospects

The rich history of Egypt encourages its modern inhabitants not only to be proud of their origin, but also to work as hard as possible to be worthy of their great ancestors. Perhaps, it is thanks to this zeal that many economists are optimistic about the future of Egypt.

Meanwhile, Egypt's population continues to grow, which means that the government faces new challenges. However, the country's rich political history allows predicting a favorable development of events.