Egypt — country of 5000 years of civilization, Pyramids of Giza and 7 UNESCO sites. 110 million inhabitants.
- Pyramids of Giza — only surviving ancient wonder of the world. Cheops Pyramid: 146.5 m tall (4500 years it was world's tallest structure).
- Sphinx of Giza — 4500 years old 73 m long, 20 m high. World's oldest monumental sculpture. Missing nose (controversial history).
- Egypt is a gift of the Nile (Herodotus). 95% of inhabitants live on 5% of territory — around the Nile. Rest is desert.
- Cairo — Africa's largest city (21 mn metro). Khan el-Khalili bazaar — since 14th c. Most authentic Eastern bazaar.
- Alexandria had the world's largest library (3rd c. BC). 700,000 scrolls. Burned by Caesar/Aurelian/Muslims (myths). New Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened 2002.
- Egypt is the largest Arab country by population 110 mn. Second Algeria 45 mn. Egyptian films + music dominate the Arab world.
- Egypt has 7 UNESCO sites Memphis and Giza necropolis, ancient Thebes (Luxor, Karnak), Abu Simbel + Philae (saved from Aswan Dam).
- Egyptian mummies preserved DNA for 5000 years Helped study epidemics + migrations of ancient world. King Tutankhamun (1322 BC) — most famous.
- Egypt gave the world paper, ink, cosmetics Plus 365-day calendar, geometry, surgical medicine (Edwin Smith Papyrus 17th c. BC).
- Hieroglyphs decoded thanks to Rosetta Stone (196 BC) — by Champollion 1822. Three languages: hieroglyphs + demotic + Greek. Key to understanding 3000 years of Egyptian history.
Sources: Egyptian Tourism Authority, CAPMAS, UNESCO World Heritage.