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Currently reported don'ts for 'Egypt': 27

Egypt

Egypt
  • Capital

    Capital

    Cairo

  • Local time

    Local time

    11:43

  • Population

    Population

    96.47 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Right

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +20

  • Currency

    Currency

    £ EGP (pound)

Read more facts about Egypt
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Egypt

Egypt
Socket  Socket
  • Capital

    Capital

    Cairo

  • Local time

    Local time

    11:43

  • Population

    Population

    96.47 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Right

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +20

  • Currency

    Currency

    £ EGP (pound)

  • Average Salary

    Average Salary

    $ 284

  • Petrol price

    Petrol price

    € 0.88 pl

  • Precipitation

    Precipitation

    51mm /year

Geography & travel

  • Country Area

    Country Area

    1 001 450 km2

  • Protected Area

    Protected Area

    11%

  • Agricultural area

    Agricultural area

    3%

  • Railways

    Railways

    5195km

  • Annual air passengers

    Annual air passengers

    12.43 m

Population

  • Ethnicity

    Ethnicity

    Egyptian - 98 %
    Berber
    Nubian

  • Religion

    Religion

    Islam - 90 %
    Islam - 90 %
    Coptic - 9 %

  • Literacy rates

    Literacy rates

    75.1%

  • Languages

    Languages

    Arabic

  • Armed Forces

    Armed Forces

    835 500

  • Alcohol consumption

    Alcohol consumption

    0.3 l/person

  • Smoking

    Smoking

    49.9%

  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    16.7%

  • Tuberculosis

    Tuberculosis

    15 per 100k

  • HIV

    HIV

    0.1%

Economy

  • Industries

    Industries

    textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals

  • Agriculture

    Agriculture

    cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables, cattle, water buffalo

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos

  • Energy Import

    Energy Import

    -7%

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos

  • Renewable Energy

    Renewable Energy

    6%

  • CO2 Emissions

    CO2 Emissions

    201 894kt

  • Ease of Business

    Ease of Business

    128 (Best=1, Worst=200)

  • ATMs per 100k people

    ATMs per 100k people

    14

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What not to do when visiting Egypt

1/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't offer alcohol or pork to your local Egyptian guests unless you know for sure they consume it. Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, although it's available in shops. Most Muslims don't eat pork and believe pork is unclean.

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2/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't cross your legs in front of the master of the house or any other elder person, which is thought to be very impolite in Egypt.

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3/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't touch during a conversation, which is not usually appropriate unless the people having the conversation are very close to each other. In general, there is little to no touching between opposite sex during conversations or in public places.

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Did you know

Did you know?

The first sailing boats were built in Egypt.

4/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't wave your hands during a conversation - the hand is a jinx-blocking sign.

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5/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't point the toe or heel or any part of foot at any person.

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6/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't forget to shake hands when greeting same-sex only. A woman has to extend the hand first (if she wants) when greeting with a man. The common greeting is a slight bow of the head and greeting of "salaam aleikum" which should be replied to with "wa aleikum us salam".

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7/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't hug and kiss in public.

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8/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't eat, drink or smoke in public places on Muslim fasting days.

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Did you know

Did you know?

Cleopatra, the last Egyptian pharaoh, lived closer to the present day than she did to the first Egyptian pharaoh Namur.

9/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't eat everything on the plate in Egypt - it's impolite.

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10/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't use much your left hand, it's associated with evil - better to take and give everything with your right hand.

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11/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't take photographs of local Egyptian without prior permission. Don't take military restricted areas and government agencies.

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12/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't forget to bring some sweets as a gift when visit an Egyptian house, according to local customs.

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13/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't expect to have knife and fork, eating with your hands (right) is quite acceptable in Egypt.

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Did you know

Did you know?

Social class is very apparent in Egypt since it determines your access to power and position. The social class an Egyptian is born into dictates their everyday life and the opportunities they will have. There are three social classes: upper, middle, and lower. Status is defined more by family background than by absolute wealth. There is little social mobility.

14/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't start eating until the host starts - let the master of the house to have the first bite when dining with the Egyptian, unless he invites you to have a piece before him.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?

Submit your story

15/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't forget to negotiate the price before getting into the taxi or on a camel. Negotiate price on all merchandise too, it's expected.

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16/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't wear sleeveless tops and short skirts or shorts on the streets or in markets. Swimsuits and bikinis are acceptable in hotel pools and cruise ships or in the Red Sea towns.

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17/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don't be offended if your Egyptian host turns on the TV when you visit. It's a kind of hospitality saying you are welcome in our house. The TV is a sign of wealth.

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18/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't get sunburnt, especially between 11am and 2pm in the summertime - always wear sunscreen. Wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes and head.

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Did you know

Did you know?

Hippopotamuses have killed more people in Africa than any other animal.

19/27
Marker Egypt
Religion Sensitive

Don't tell your taxi driver you're an atheist - he won't understand how it's possible.

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20/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't forget football is extremely important in Egyptian culture.

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21/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don't forget to wash your hands before entering the table. Use the right hand when eating.

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22/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don’t enter or exit Egypt with more than $10,000 - it’s prohibited.

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23/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don‘t use nor import any drones - small civilian drones for personal or touristic purposes are prohibited.

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Did you know

Did you know?

In Africa, more people are killed by crocodiles than lions.

24/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don’t leave your plate empty when finished eating - they will keep filling it up for you.

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25/27
Marker Egypt
Social Events

Don’t give flowers when visiting someone - they are usually reserved for weddings or the ill unless you’re sure the host will appreciate it.

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26/27
Marker Egypt
Business & Communication

Don’t drink tap water - use the bottled water instead.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?

Submit your story

27/27
Marker Egypt
Street & Behavioral

Don’t necessarily travel to Asyut, Minya, Qena, and Sohag - governorates are especially prone to sectarian strife, and the government restricts travel by foreigners to these areas.

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