Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

Origin of Name the English name "Egypt" derives from the ancient Greek name for the country "Aigyptos"; the Arabic name "Misr" can be traced to the ancient Akkadian "misru" meaning border or frontier

Location northeastern corner of Africa
Bordered By Israel, Sudan, Libya

Area 386,662 sq mi (1,001,450 sq km)
Greatest Distance N-S 675 mi (1,086 km)
Greatest Distance E-W 760 mi (1,223 km)
Highest Point Jabal Katrinah; 8,625 ft (2,629 m)
Lowest Point Qattara Depression; -436 ft (-133 m)
Natural Resources petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc

Nationality Egyptian
Population (July 2016 est) 94,666,993
Largest Cities Cairo (7,734,614), Alexandria (3,811,516), Giza (2,443,203), Port Said (538,378), Suez (488,125), Al Mahallah al Kubrá (431,052), Luxor (422,407), Assiut (420,585), Al Mansurah (420,195), Tanta (404,901)
Ethnic Groups Egyptian
Languages Arabic (official), English, French
Religions Sunni Muslim, Coptic Orthodox

Capital Cairo
Form of Government presidential republic
Current Constitution Adopted January 19, 2016
Chief of State President Abdelfattah Said Elsisi (since June 8, 2014)
Head of Government Prime Minister Sherif Ismail (since September 12, 2015)
Cabinet
Legislature unicameral House of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nowaab)
Judiciary Supreme Constitutional Court, Court of Cassation, Supreme Administrative Court
Local Administration 27 governates (muhafazat)

Currency pound (EGP)
Per Capita Income $11,800
Principal Industries textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures
Agricultural Products cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats
Principal Exports crude oil and petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals, processed food
Principal Imports machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels

Independence from United Kingdom Protectorate Status Achieved February 28, 1922
National Holiday Revolution Day, July 23 (1952)
Flag Three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and black. The national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band. The band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white).

SEE ALSO
Israel
Sudan
Libya

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This page was last updated on May 30, 2017.