Learn about Egypt

Egypt’s attractions date back as far as 3200 BC when the tombs of Hierakonpolis and Sakkara would have been under development. The Pharaonic era proper started with King Zoser in 2700 BC, following through to the developments at Thebes in 1785 BC and the Temple of Karnak around 1580 BC. Ptolemaic Egypt, perhaps most famous for the rule of Queen Cleopatra, marked the end of the Pharaonic dynasty, ending around 30 BC.

Successive periods of rule from various civilisations have left Egypt with a colourful cocktail of attractions. Arab occupation began in 642 AD, the Fatimides took control in 985 AD, followed by Ottoman occupation from 1517, the Napoleonic invasion of 1798 " 1801 and British occupation from 1882 until modern-day Egypt was formed. As a result, Islamic mosques, Coptic churches and numerous museums give insight into the many elements that make up Egypt’s historical patchwork.

Egypt has long been seen as a hub for culture and the arts and modern-day Egypt is no exception. Egyptian novelist and Nobel Prize laureate for Literature (1988) Naguib Mahfouz resided in Cairo and visitors flock to the café of mirrors in the city’s famous Khan Al Khalili souq where it is said he wrote and sought inspiration. Dr Ahmed Zoweil, winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, still counts Cairo as his home. Meanwhile, as the home of Arabic cinema, Egypt also boasts a long list of famous actors and musicians, including movie stars Faten Hamama and Omar Sherif, and classic musicians such as Om Kolthoum and Abdel Halim Hafez.

Modern Egypt, created in the 19th century under the rule of Mohamed Ali Pasha, presents a land of profound contrasts. The second largest country in Africa, and the largest country in the Arab world, Egypt is home to vast deserts, lush oases, traditional villages, bustling metropolises and exotic resorts on the Red Sea.

The majority of Egypt’s landscape is desert: the country is framed by the Libyan Desert to the west, the Sahara and Nubian deserts to the south, and the Arabian Desert to the east. Despite that, the country has a thriving agricultural industry thanks to the mineral rich soils of the Nile Delta. The Nile has always been Egypt’s lifeblood and the river continues to be a vital contributor to the country’s economy today.

On the Red Sea, Egypt offers a cosmopolitan resort lifestyle comparable with Puerto Banus in Spain or the French Riviera. Five-star resorts, championship golf courses, renowned spas, and some of the best diving facilities in the world make this a magnet for tourists all year round.

Egypt’s tourism attractions are many and varied but one constant remains " the hospitality of the Egyptian people. Come, let us show you our country and take you on a ‘once in a lifetime’ journey of discovery.