Egypt, country located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Egypt’s heartland, the Nile river valley and delta, was the home of one of the principal civilizations of the ancient middle east and, like Mesopotamia farther east, was the site of one of the world’s earliest urban and literate societies. Pharaonic Egypt thrived for some 3,000 years through a series of native dynasties that were interspersed with brief period of foreign rule.Until the Muslim conquest, great continuity had typified Egyptian rural life. Despite the incongruent ethnicity of successive ruling groups and the cosmopolitan nature of Egypt’s larger urban centres, the language and culture of the rural, agrarian masses—whose lives were largely measured by the annual rise and fall of the Nile River, with its annual inundation—had changed only marginally throughout the centuries. Following the conquests, both urban and rural culture began to adopt elements of Arab culture, and an Arabic vernacular eventually replaced the Egyptian language as the common means of spoken discourse. Moreover, since that time, Egypt’s history has been part of the broader Islamic world, and though Egyptians continued to be ruled by foreign elite—whether Arab, Kurdish, Circassian, or Turkish—the country’s cultural milieu remained predominantly Arab.ef periods of foreign rule..
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THE NILE RIVER
The Nile is formed by three principal streams: the Blue Nile and the white Nile the headstreams of which flow into Lakes Victoria and Albert
The name Nile is derived from the Greek Neilos (Latin: Nilus), which probably originated from the Semitic root nahal, meaning a valley or a river valley and hence, by an extension of the meaning, a river. The fact that the Nile—unlike other great rivers known to them—flowed from the south northward and was in flood at the warmest time of the year was an unsolved mystery to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. The ancient Egyptians called the river Ar or Aur (Coptic: Iaro), “Black,” in allusion to the colour of the sediments carried by the river when it is in flood. Nile mud is black enough to have given the land itself its oldest name, Kem or Kemi, which also means “black” and signifies darkness.The Nile River basin, which covers about one-tenth of the area of the continent, served as the stage for the evolution and decay of advanced civilizations in the ancient world.
CULTURE AND PEOPLE
The culture of Egypt has thousands of years of recorded history. Ancient Egypt was among the earliest civilizations in Africa. For millennia, Egypt maintained a strikingly unique, complex and stable culture that influenced later cultures of Europe. After the Pharaonic era, Egypt itself came under the influence of Hellenism, for a time Christianity and later, Christian culture.
Egypt is the internationally used name but not the name used by the people of the country. It derives from the Greek Aegyptos, which in turn probably comes from ancient Egyptian words referring to the land ( Hut-ka-ptah, or “house of the essence [ka] of Ptah,” a local god). Western names derive from this, as does the word “Copt”. “Copt” can be taken to mean “Egyptian” in general, but now commonly means an Egyptian Christian, technically one belonging to the majority Coptic Church.
In Arabic, the name is Misr. This name is older than the Muslim conquest, but is attested to in the Koran. It can refer to either the whole country or the capital city. The name itself is an icon, spoken, written, or sung.
The population of Egypt is relatively homogeneous. The overwhelming majority (over 90 percent) are Arabic-speaking Sunni Muslims. About 6 percent are Christians, who are indistinguishable in other respects from the Muslims. Most of the Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church, the historic church of Egypt, but minorities within the minority are Catholic or Protestant, or derive from the churches of the Levant (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic). There are a few small linguistic minorities, of which the largest is the Nubians, who speak two Nubian languages (Kenuz and Mahas) related to the Nilo-Saharan languages of the Sudan. They represent less than 1 percent of Egypt’s population, and are concentrated around Aswan. Other linguistic minorities include a few thousand Berber speakers in Siwa oasis, the easternmost outpost of Berber speech, and the small population of Beja (Ababda and Bisharin) in the eastern desert east of Aswan. All these groups are Muslim. There are also urban linguistic enclaves of Armenians, Greeks, Italians, and others. Another urban enclave was the Jews, now largely emigrated, who spoke either Arabic or various European languages. The urban minorities were much larger before the middle of the twentieth century.
WHEN TO VISIT
Egypt’s traditional tourist season runs from late November to late February, seen by most as the best time to visit, though in recent years Luxor and Aswan have only really been busy with tourists during the peak months of December and January. The Nile Valley is balmy throughout this winter season, although Cairo can be overcast and chilly. Winter is also the busiest period for the Sinai resorts, while Hurghada is active year round.
Aside from the Easter vacation, when there is a spike in tourism, March or April are also good times to visit, with a pleasant climate.
In May the heat is still tolerable but, after that, Egyptians rich enough to do so migrate to Alex and the coastal resorts. From June to September the south and desert are ferociously hot and the pollution in Cairo is at its worst, with only the coast offering a respite from the heat. During this time, sightseeing is best limited to early morning or evening. October into early November is perhaps the best time of all to visit, with easily manageable climate and crowds.
Weather and tourism apart, the Islamic calendar and its related festivals can have an effect on your travel. The most important factor is Ramadan, the month of daytime fasting, which can be problematic for eating and transport, though the festive evenings do much to compensate.
WHERE TO STAY
RADISSON BLU RESORT EL-QUESIR.
Choose from 250 airy rooms and suites, each with a balcony or terrace and a stunning view of the sea or the hotel gardens. Each room includes our Super Breakfast Buffet and dinner at the hotel’s main restaurant, which features delicious buffets. Visit our other restaurants for a variety of dining experiences, including international fine dining, beachside barbecues, and snacks and cocktails beside our 2 temperature-controlled pools.
INTERCONTINENTAL CAIRO SEMIRAMI
Overlooking the Nile River and just 5 minutes’ walk from the Egyptian Museum, the 5-star Intercontinental Cairo Semiramis features a heated outdoor pool and an on-site casino and gym. It offers a 24-hour front desk and complimentary WiFi in all areas.
All of Semiramis’s tastefully appointed rooms feature large balconies, some offering Nile or city views. Each has a work desk and free wired internet. For guests’ comfort, there is a satellite flat-screen TV and in-room hot and cold drinks.
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO
Featuring panoramic views of the Nile, this 5-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a flat-screen satellite TV and a marble bathroom. It has luxury spa facilities, and outdoor landscaped pool area
THINGS TO DO
.NIGHT NILE CRUISE FROM ASWAN TO LUXOR
Savor the timeless experience that is a Nile cruise as you sail from Aswan to Luxor on an indulgent ship with onboard swimming pool. Feast on breakfast, lunch, dinner—and even afternoon tea—as you discover ancient Egypt’s highlights. Professional Egyptologists are on hand as you visit the temples of Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, and Karnak.
.GUIDED TOUR WITH DINNER CRUISE AND CAMEL
Capture the spirit of ancient Egypt on a private 3-day tour of Cairo and Alexandria with a professional guide. Gaze in wonder at the Giza pyramids; take an exhilarating 30-minute camel ride through the desert; and descend to the atmospheric tombs of the Sakkara step pyramids. Immerse yourself in Cairo’s lively culture during a visit to the Khan el-Kahlil market and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha and see the splendid sights of Alexandria on a guided tour. Receive the undivided attention of your Egyptologist guide on this private tour.
.MORNING QUAD BIKE
Adrenaline junkies will thrill to the roar of a quad bike on this morning desert safari. After transfer to the base station and a quick orientation, race 16 miles (25 kilometers) across the desert sands. Along the way, enjoy a camel ride, sip Bedouin tea and—if you’d like—try a traditional shisha water pipe. Finally, transfer back to your hotel.
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