Where is Egypt in the World?

Where is Egypt?

The northern African country of Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is the 31st largest in the world by area, at over 1 million square miles. Known for its ancient monuments in the capital, Cairo, the country has an incredibly vast and storied history and a harsh but diverse climate.

Geography

From the arid Sahara Desert to the remarkable Nile River, Egypt has a plethora of natural diversity. Located in the northeasternmost corner of Africa, Egypt links the continent with the Middle East by bordering with Israel and the Gaza Strip. It is bordered to the south by Sudan and to the west by Libya. To the north, Egypt meets the Mediterranean Sea and to the east, the Red Sea.

If not for the Nile River, Egypt would be a vast expanse of desert. Due to this, the longest river in the world at over 4,200 miles long, ancient Egyptians were able to produce crops and make use of fertile land to thrive. Each summer, rainwater from southern countries causes the river to rise and flood the areas used for crops, which adds much-needed sediment and continues to enrich the land.

Despite this, over 90 percent of the land does remain a part of the Sahara Desert, and with only an average of one inch of rain a year, it can be a harsh environment to survive. Temperatures can swing wildly, sometimes getting as low as 32 degrees at night during the winter. Some animals still make their home here, although many have gone extinct through the combination of overhunting and climate change.

Some parts of Egypt have mountainous regions, such as the mountains along the Red Sea and in the south and southwest portions of the country.

Egypt is a very fortuitous country for the distribution of petroleum, natural gas and crude oil, along with iron ore, and phosphates.

Population

With a reported population of over 100 million people in 2018, Egypt's population has become one of the most populous countries in Africa or the Middle East. Incidentally, it is booming to the point where resources are strained. Ethnic Egyptians make up a large percentage of the population, but some Turks, Greeks and Bedouins and other minorities also live in the country.

Egypt has an important and colorful history and is best known for a hierarchy led by the pharaohs. The ancient pyramids are one of the most glorified landmarks in the world, designated initially as tombs for the pharaohs. Ancient Egyptians were very intent on the afterlife and often mummified loved ones and sacred animals as a religious ritual.

Egypt became a republican nation after 1952 and runs under a semi-presidency, meaning it is run by both a prime minister and a president.