Egypt
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Capital
Cairo
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Local time
23:50
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Population
96.47 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+20
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Currency
£ EGP (pound)
Egypt
-
Capital
Cairo
-
Local time
23:50
-
Population
96.47 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+20
-
Currency
£ EGP (pound)
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Average Salary
$ 284
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Petrol price
€ 0.88 pl
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Precipitation
51mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
1 001 450 km2
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Protected Area
11%
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Agricultural area
3%
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Railways
5195km
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Annual air passengers
12.43 m
Population
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Ethnicity
Egyptian - 98 %
Berber
Nubian
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Religion
Islam - 90 %
Islam - 90 %
Coptic - 9 %
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Literacy rates
75.1%
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Languages
Arabic
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Armed Forces
835 500
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Alcohol consumption
0.3 l/person
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Smoking
49.9%
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Diabetes
16.7%
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Tuberculosis
15 per 100k
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HIV
0.1%
Economy
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Industries
textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals
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Agriculture
cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables, cattle, water buffalo
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Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos
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Energy Import
-7%
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Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos
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Renewable Energy
6%
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CO2 Emissions
201 894kt
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Ease of Business
128 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
14
What not to do when visiting Egypt
Egypt 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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Egypt 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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Egypt 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?
The first sailing boats were built in Egypt.
Egypt Don't wave your hands during a conversation - the hand is a jinx-blocking sign.
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Egypt Don't point the toe or heel or any part of foot at any person.
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Egypt 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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Egypt Don't hug and kiss in public.
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Egypt Don't eat, drink or smoke in public places on Muslim fasting days.
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Did you know?
Cleopatra, the last Egyptian pharaoh, lived closer to the present day than she did to the first Egyptian pharaoh Namur.
Egypt Don't eat everything on the plate in Egypt - it's impolite.
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Egypt 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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Egypt Don't take photographs of local Egyptian without prior permission. Don't take military restricted areas and government agencies.
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Egypt Don't forget to bring some sweets as a gift when visit an Egyptian house, according to local customs.
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Egypt 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?
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.
Egypt 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
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?
Egypt 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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Egypt 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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Egypt 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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Egypt 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?
Hippopotamuses have killed more people in Africa than any other animal.
Egypt Don't tell your taxi driver you're an atheist - he won't understand how it's possible.
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Egypt Don't forget football is extremely important in Egyptian culture.
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Egypt Don't forget to wash your hands before entering the table. Use the right hand when eating.
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Egypt Don’t enter or exit Egypt with more than $10,000 - it’s prohibited.
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Egypt Don‘t use nor import any drones - small civilian drones for personal or touristic purposes are prohibited.
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Did you know?
In Africa, more people are killed by crocodiles than lions.
Egypt Don’t leave your plate empty when finished eating - they will keep filling it up for you.
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Egypt 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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Egypt Don’t drink tap water - use the bottled water instead.
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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?
Egypt 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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