EgyptBy: Philip Stout

Egypt’s Flag

Type of Government

Republica state in which the supreme power

rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by

representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.

81,121,077

Population

Egypt’s Capital

Cairo

LOCATION

$2,850

Per Capita Income

RamadanRamadan has a special flavor in Egypt, celebrated with sounds, lights (local lanternsknown as fawanees) and much flare that many Muslim tourists from the region flock to Egypt during Ramadan to witness the

spectacle.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most important month in the Islamic Calendar for Muslims, the majority religion in Egypt. Commemorating the time when God revealed the

Qur'an to Mohammed, during this holy month, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking or smoking until after sundown on each day.

Although strict adherence to Ramadan is for Muslims only, some Muslims would appreciate that non-Muslims do not take meals or

smoke in public places. During Ramadan, many restaurants and cafes won't open until after sundown. Public transport is less frequent, shops close earlier before sunset and the pace of life (especially

business) is generally slow.

Sham El NessimLiterally sniffing of the breezes, Sham el-Nessim marks the beginning of spring. The ancient spring festival of Sham en Nisim has been celebrated

by Egyptians for thousands of years, typically between the Egyptian months of Paremoude (April) and Pashons (May), following Easter

Sunday. The tradition, which is believed to date back to Pharaonic times, falls on the Monday following Coptic Easter and is a national holiday

celebrated by Copts and Muslims alike. Almost every Egyptian celebrates the holiday by spending the day with friends and family

having a picnic of feseekh (smelly salted fish), hard-boiled eggs, termis (lupin seeds) and fiteer (the local take on pizza). The scarcity of public parks and open areas in Cairo means that many families end up sitting

on grassy patches next to roads. Be warned, this is not a good day for a casual visit to the Giza Zoo

unless you arrive early.

Egypt - Industry Industry accounted for 30% of GDP in 2001. Major

industrial products included textiles, chemicals (including fertilizers, polymers, and petrochemicals), pharmaceuticals, food processing, petroleum, construction, cement, metals, and light consumer goods. The clothing and textiles sector is the largest industrial employer. Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Helwan are Egypt's main industrial centers, producing iron and steel, textiles, refined petroleum products, plastics, building materials, electronics, paper, trucks and automobiles, and chemicals. The Helwan iron and steel plant, 29 km (18 mi) south of Cairo, using imported coke, processes iron ore mined near Aswan into sheets, bars, billets, plates, and blooms. The petroleum industry accounts for 40% of export earnings.

Muslims

Major Religion

The End