Egypt is the only country that has a contiguous territory on both the African and Asian continent, with the Suez Canal as the continental divide.
It is the Middle East`s most populous country, nearly 110 million live here, mostly close to the fertile banks of the Nile and the Nile Delta.
 
Early nation states appeared along the Nile around 5000 BC, first hieroglyphs are from 3200 BC.
A few centuries later Narmer unified the country and became the first Pharaoh, followed by 170 more before in 30 BC an asp ended the life of Cleopatra and the Romans annexed Egypt. The use and knowledge of hieroglyphs faded away until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799.
 
Pyramids and Great Sphinx were build in the Old Kingdom period. During the New Kingdom Egypt became very powerfull and expanded its territory to the East and South. Famous rulers of this period are  Thutmosis III, Tutankhamen andRamses II.
 
Romans, Byzantines, Arab Muslims, Ottomans and Brits ruled over Egypt until independence was gained in 1953. After two lost wars with Israel, peace was made in 1978 at Camp David.
The Arab Spring also touched Egypt but was short-lived and the military soon regained control.
 
The country has a young population with 75% under 25 years.
 
Despite several terrorist attacks, the pyramids, Luxor and excellent diving sites in the Red Sea draw millions of visitors each year, making tourism, together wit revenues from the Suez Canal a major source of income.
Luxor
Hurghada
Sharm el-Sheikh
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