Egypt

Destination overview

About this destination

Egypt lies in northeastern Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula extending into Asia. Cairo is its capital and a major city of the Arab world. The Nile Valley and delta have shaped settlement and agriculture for thousands of years.

Beyond these fertile areas, desert occupies most of the landscape. The pyramids at Giza and the monuments around Luxor preserve remarkable evidence of ancient civilisation. Alexandria reflects the country's Mediterranean connections.

Arabic is the official language, and modern Egyptian culture includes influential music and cinema. The Suez Canal adds an important maritime and commercial dimension to this meeting point of continents.