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Pyramids under the blue sky. Photo by Osama Elsayed on

20 Fascinating Facts about Egypt

The Arab Republic of Egypt, commonly known by many as Egypt is a transcontinental country that spans from the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia. Egypt is transcontinental via a land bridge that was formed by the Sinai Peninsula. This North African country is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north.

The Gaza Strip of Palestine and Israel is to the northeast, the Red Sea is on the east side, Sudan borders the country to the south, and Libya to the west. Egypt is separated from Jordan and Saudi Arabia via the Gulf of Aqaba. The capital city of Egypt is Cairo which is also the largest city in the country.

Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt and the most important industrial and tourist hub as it is located on the Mediterranean coast. Egypt has approximately 100 million inhabitants making it the 14^th most populous country in the world.

Below are the 20 Fascinating Facts about Egypt:

1. Egypt has One of the Longest Histories of any Country

Multicolored Egyptian painting. Photo by British Library on

Every country across the world has its history that links them to a certain period. Some of the countries have longer histories than others with Egypt having one of the longest histories of any country. Egypt鈥檚 heritage can be traced along the Nile Delta which back to the 6^th and 5^th millennia BCE.

The country is considered the cradle of civilization. Ancient Egypt is linked with the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, urbanization, organized religion, and central government. Other than those, Egypt鈥檚 history also features several iconic monuments. Some of these iconic monuments include the Giza Necropolis and its Great Sphinx, the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings.

2. The Egyptian Neolithic Culture Dates back to 6000 BCE

An established agricultural economy and a more centralized civilization were developed by early tribal peoples who relocated to the Nile River, in Egypt.  In the Nile Valley, a Neolithic society emerged by about 6000 BCE. In Upper and Lower Egypt, several predynastic cultures independently arose throughout the Neolithic period.

Most historians consider the Badarian civilization and its successors, the Naqada series, to be the forerunners of the dynasty Egypt. The Badarian is roughly seven hundred years older than Merimda, the oldest Lower Egyptian site that is now known.

For more than two thousand years, contemporaneous Lower Egyptian villages coexisted with their southern counterparts. They maintained frequent commercial contact while maintaining their own cultural identities.

3. Muslim Arabs Brought Islamic Religion to Egypt

Kababir Ahmadiyya Mosque. Photo by 讗诇注讚 讝诇讜诪讜谞住 on

As civilization continued in Egypt, more foreign kingdoms became interested in this country that was flourishing. Over the centuries, various Kings ruled Egypt and left a mark on the country. The Sasanid Persians invaded Egypt in the early 7^th century, but the Byzantines managed to regain control.

However, between 639-42, Egypt was invaded and conquered by the Islamic caliphate by the Muslim Arabs. After defeating the Byzantine armies, the Muslim Arabs introduced Islam in Egypt. Egyptians on the other hand started blending in Islam with indigenous beliefs and practices which led to various Sufi orders which are used to date.

Read on Top 10 Famous Egyptian People.

4. Egypt鈥檚 Initial Capital before Cairo was Burned Down during the Crusades

Night shot of Cairo. Photo by Wael Mustafa on

With all the civilization and more technological advancement due to available resources, several fiery kingdoms wanted to control Egypt. There were wars between kingdoms in the early centuries with some of the kingdoms managing to control the country.

After the Muslim Arabs invaded and conquered Egypt, they want more development for this rich country. They founded the capital of Egypt which was known as Fustat. However, Fustat never survived for long as it was burned down during the Crusades.

In the year 996, Cairo was built. Cairo grew to become the largest and richest city in the Arab caliphate. It was second only to Baghdad and it was also one of the biggest and richest in the world.

5. Egypt was an Ally of the Soviet Union before Switching Allegiance to the US

Russia sided with the Mamluks of Egypt in their conflict with the Ottomans during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768鈥�1774 Numerous Russian expeditions were dispatched to the Levant. Russia and Egypt disagreed about the future of the Ottoman Empire in the first part of the 19^th century.

Gamal Abdel Nasser鈥檚 autonomous and anti-imperialist policies in the 1950s won him the ardent backing of the USSR鈥檚 communist leadership. Teams of Egyptian officers began receiving training in Eastern Bloc nations when Egypt and the Soviet Union entered into a significant arms contract in 1955.

However, in 1970 after President Nasser died of a heart attack, Anwar Sadat succeeded. Anwar made several changes to the Allies of Egypt. He switched Egypt鈥檚 Cold War allegiance from the Soviet Union to the United States. Anwar also decided to expel Soviet advisors from Egypt in 1972.

6. Egypt is the 30^th Largest and 14^th Most Populated Country in the World

Life on the streets of Luxor, Egypt. Photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg on

Egypt is located mainly between latitudes 22掳 and 32掳N and longitudes 25掳 and 35掳E. It is the 30^th-largest country in the world, covering 1,001,450 square kilometers (386,660 sq mi). Due to the country鈥檚 high aridity, population centers are concentrated along the Nile Valley and Delta.

This means that 5.5% of the country鈥檚 total geographical area is occupied by nearly 99% of the inhabitants. 98% of Egyptians live on 3% of the territory. With approximately one hundred million inhabitants, Egypt is the 14^th most populated country in the world.

7. Egypt is a Transcontinental Nation

There are nineteen transcontinental countries in the world including Russia, the United States of America and Egypt is also included. The important role of Egypt in geopolitics comes from it being a transcontinental nation.

Egypt possesses a land bridge known as the Isthmus of Suez which connects Africa and Asia. The land bridge is also traversed by a navigable waterway. Egypt is also bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east.

8. Egypt has the Most Important Navigable Waterway, the Suez Canal

Aerial view of Suez Canal / Gulf of Suez / City of Suez, Egypt. Photo by Baycrest on

The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez. It is an artificial sea-level waterway that is located in the northern part of Egypt. The Suez Canal also divides Africa and Asia.

It is 193.30 kilometers long and a very popular trade route between Europe and Asia. Ferdinand de Lesseps created the Suez Canal Company in 1858 to build the important Canal.

The construction began in 1859 and was completed in 1869. The Suez Canal was then officially opened on 17^th November 1869. Its major purpose is to offer vessels a direct route between the North Atlantic and the northern Indian Ocean via the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Suez Canal makes vessels avoid the South Atlantic and southern Indian oceans which greatly reduces the journey distances. The journey distance from the Arabian Sea to London is approximately 8,900 kilometers. In 2021, there were more than 20,600 vessels that used the Suez Canal.

Read on 10 Best Egyptian Antiquities to See in the Louvre.

9. The Longest River in Africa Passes through Egypt

North-eastern Africa鈥檚 principal river that flows north is the Nile. The Nile empties into the Mediterranean. Since ancient times, the Nile, which flows through Africa, has been regarded as the world鈥檚 longest river.

For thousands of years, the Nile has been an important aspect of Egypt in various ways. It was and is currently being used to irrigate farms through canals as well as support the cities of Egypt. The river also supports fishing and other forms of agriculture.

For a very long time, Egypt has used the Nile as an important transportation route. Currently, more than 90 percent of Egyptians live within a few kilometers of the Nile as it serves them in various ways.

10. Egypt is the Driest and Sunniest Country in the World

A person riding a camel in the scorching sun. Photo by Spencer Davis on

Egypt is located in the African Sahara which makes it the driest and sunniest country in the world. Most of the Egyptian land surface is desert. The climate of Egypt is unusually hot, sunny, and dry but Egyptians have adapted to that.

During summer, the country experiences extremely high temperatures while in the north, averagely high temperatures are usually experienced. What makes the Egyptian climate hot is the Khamaseen.

The Khamaseen is a hot and dry wind that comes from the vast deserts in the south, blowing in the spring and sometimes in the early summer. The Khamaseen usually brings scorching sand and dust particles.

Daytime temperatures soar high to over 40 Degrees Celsius and sometimes 50 Degrees Celsius. However, cooler Mediterranean winds consistently blow over the northern sea coast and moderate the temperatures.

11. Tourism is one of the Most Important Sectors in Egypt

The economy of Egypt was destabilized during the various wars that threatened to bring the country down to crumble. However, the United States has been playing a huge role in stabilizing the economy of Egypt.

The country also depends on its sectors to earn more revenue. Tourism is one of the key sectors of the economy of Egypt. In 2008, there were more than 12.8 million tourists who visited Egypt providing nearly $11 billion in revenues.

12. The Only One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is Found in Egypt

The pyramids of Giza. Photo by Robert Tavalbi on

One of Egypt鈥檚 best-known tourists attraction and the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still exists is found in this country. The Giza Necropolis also known as the Giza pyramid complex is found in Egypt.

It is home to the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The Giza Necropolis is also home to other associated pyramid complexes as well as the Great Sphinx.

They were built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt between 2600 and 2500 BC. Around the Necropolis are several temples as well as cemeteries.

13. Egypt has Several Famous Beaches that Attract Millions of Tourists

Beach at Marina-Egypt. Photo by Haddara on

Egypt is strategically located along the Mediterranean coast, the Red Sea as well as part of the Indian Ocean coast. This has enabled the country to have several beaches that are tourist attraction sites that welcome millions of tourists.

The beaches along the Mediterranean and the Red Sea extend for over 3,000 kilometers. They include the Gulf of Aqaba beaches, Safaga, Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor, Dahab, Ras Sidr, and Marsa Alam.

14. The Country has the First of Only Two Full-fledged Metro Systems in Africa and the Arab World

Cairo metro. Photo by Obee Amer on

As expected, the transport system in Africa is not that modernized but this is not in all countries. Egypt can boast of a better and more modernized transport network.

This country has the Cairo Metro which is the first of the only two full-fledged Metro systems in both Africa and the Arabian World. The procedure is considered one of the most important recent Egyptian projects that cost them around 12 billion Egyptian pounds. This system also has three operational lines with the hopes of a fourth line in the future.

Also, read Top 10 Amazing Facts about the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.

15. Egypt has the Largest Christian Population in the Middle East & North Africa

Islam is the number one religion in Egypt as the country has the largest Muslim population in the Arab World. However, Egypt also has the largest Christian population in the Middle East and North Africa.

Before the seventh century, Egypt was a Christian nation. After the arrival of Islam, the nation underwent a gradual Islamization process to become a majority-Muslim nation.

16. Egypt is Home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Theban Necropolis. Photo by Mo Gabrail on

Do you know that seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found in Egypt? Yes, Egypt has a lot to offer. The seven locations are Abu Mena, Ancient Thebes, Abu Simbel, Saint Catherine, Wadi Al-Hitan (also known as Whale Valley in the western desert of Egypt), and Historic Cairo.

The Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur are Memphis and its Necropolis, so chances are if you鈥檝e traveled to Egypt you鈥檝e seen this UNESCO site. Luxor and the Valley of the Kings are located in ancient Thebes, Abu Simbel is on Lake Nasser, historic Cairo is a must-see location, and Saint Catherine, where Moses received the Ten Commandments, is situated at the base of mountains.

17. Several Mummies have been Discovered in Egypt

Egypt has the best ancient history as it seemed to be the center of the past world and civilization. Several archaeologists have centered their work in Egypt and made major discoveries.

Archaeologists have unearthed lots of mummies in Egypt that depicted the culture and past of the Egyptians. Among the major mummies to be unearthed is King Tut who is one of the most famous ancient Egyptians. More archaeologists are carrying out their research in Egypt to discover more.

18. Ancient Egypt was Ruled by Pharaohs who were Buried with Treasures

The colossus of pharaoh Rameses II, Middle Kingdom. Photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg on

Ancient Egyptians has a very sophisticated system of governance before the other kingdoms came in and invaded them. Egypt was initially ruled by powerful leaders who are known as the Pharaohs.

The Pharaohs were the greatest leaders of Egypt who had more power, and knowledge and sometimes held the status of gods in Egypt. What is more astonishing is that when they died, the Pharaohs were buried in their pyramids alongside their wealth.

19. Cats are Considered Sacred in Egypt

Various countries and cultures have their set of animals they believe to be sacred. Egypt, a country that had several gods in the past has animals that they consider to be sacred.

Cats were and are still considered to be sacred animals in ancient and current Egypt. They are cared for and revered by the Egyptians. Cats were thought to bring good luck to them and were mummified when they died.

20. The First Calendar Known to Mankind was Invented in Egypt

EGYPTIAN CALENDAR YEAR 4807. Photo by FREDDY CANAVIRI APAZA on

The ancient Egyptians used a solar calendar to divide the year into 13 months, according to the sun cycle. One of the first calendars that humans are aware of is the Egyptian calendar.

The lunar year was later found by the ancient Egyptians, who split it into seasons, months, days, and hours. They were able to tell the difference between a leap year and a regular year, which was an astronomical marvel at the time.

The Coptic calendar, sometimes known as the 鈥淢artyrs鈥� Calendar,鈥� heavily relied upon the calendar used in ancient Egypt.

Read on Top 10 Interesting Facts about Egyptian Museum, Cairo.