Arab Republic of Egypt · Northern Africa
View on the interactive map →| Capital | Cairo |
|---|---|
| Population | 98.4 million |
| Area | 1,002,450 km² (387,048 mi²) |
| Official language(s) | Arabic |
| Currency | Egyptian pound (£) |
| Region | Africa |
| Subregion | Northern Africa |
| Continent | Africa |
| Demonym | Egyptian |
| Calling code | +20 |
| Time zone | Africa/Cairo |
| Government type | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
|---|---|
| Major political parties | Nation's Future Party, and others |
| Major religions | Islam (Sunni majority), Coptic Christianity |
| Important cities | Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Luxor |
Independence / founding: From the United Kingdom 1922; republic declared 1953
One of humanity's oldest civilisations, Egypt was unified around 3100 BC and built the pyramids and a 3,000-year pharaonic culture. Successively Greek, Roman, Arab and Ottoman, it gained independence from Britain in 1922 and became a republic in 1953. The Suez Canal makes it strategically vital.
| National animal / bird | Steppe eagle (Eagle of Saladin) |
|---|---|
| National dish | Koshari, ful medames, falafel |
| Music | Arabic classical; shaabi |
| National sport | Football |