Egypt is located in northeast Africa, bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea, to the east by Israel and the Red Sea, to the south by Sudan and to the west by Libya.
Its altitude varies from 132 meters below sea level in the Libyan desert to 2,285 meters on Mount Sinai.
Surface area: 1,001,450 km2
Climate: Egypt, in general, is a hot, arid and dry country. However, the climate in the Nile Delta and in the Upper Egyptian valley is different. The Delta has a more moderate climate with summer temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius and high humidity, a very Mediterranean climate. The rest of the country is dry and can reach temperatures of over 50 degrees at times. Nights in the desert are usually cool and the temperature difference is very pronounced.
Passports and visas
The passport must be valid for at least six months, do not worry about the visa, the representative of safina tours who is waiting at the airport in cairo will process the visa to enter Egypt and you pay 25 USD for the visa.
Demographics, languages and religions
Population: 104 million in 2019. Egypt is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with the vast majority living in the Nile Delta and Cairo. Its demographic growth has moderated compared to the surrounding countries.
Languages: Arabic (official language). English is known by a large part of the population with studies or related to tourism.
Languages: Arabic (official language). English is known by a large part of the population with studies or related to tourism.
Currency and exchange
It is best to change money at the hotel’s bank where the commission is negligible. Upon arrival at the Meridian Pyramids hotel there is a bank to exchange USD to Egyptian Pound (one dollar is worth 15.70 Egyptian Pound approximately).
Languages
Arabic (official language). English is known by a large part of the population with studies or related to tourism. From the first moment you arrive at the airport there is a representative who speaks Spanish who will be waiting for you and during the trip there is also a tour guide who speaks fluent Spanish who will be with you. You also have to learn some arebes words for example >> thank you = shukran / how much is it worth = bicam / Habibi= my love / no = la / yes= aiua / goodbye = salam
Religions: Muslims (mainly Sunni): 91 % Coptic Christians, and others: 9%.
Electricity
The plugs and current (220 v) 50Hz are the same as in Spain and you can use the cell phone charger without any problem. If you go on your own and travel to some rural areas you may find that they use 110-380 V.
The schedules
Mexico + 7 summer
Mexico + 8 winter
Telephony
Telephoning from a cell phone or landline. The country code to call Egypt is 0020 and to make international calls from Egypt To Spain dial code 0034 – Mexico dial code 0052.
The tip
It is the daily life in Egypt and the second salary for those who work in tourism so any tourist has to pay tips everywhere as in hotel, cruise, restaurants, transportation, airport, etc. throughout the trip for all those who offer the service.
What to take in my suitcase
Don’t forget your plane tickets and passport. This is very personal but some things can be generalized. Take comfortable clothes, preferably cotton and linen, and if the air conditioning bothers you or if you are traveling in a month when it gets cooler at night, take a sweater or jacket. If you have a delicate stomach you can take something to avoid decompositions or diarrhea as a restorative of the intestinal flora.
Economy
Industry: Textiles and fabrics, food industry, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, primary metals, etc.
Agriculture: Cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats.
Minerals and Resources: Oil, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc.
The gastronomy of Egypt
It is very varied due to its geographical position that bridges the African and Mediterranean cuisines. Egypt is a country with a large expanse of desert and this is noticeable in some of its culinary customs (such as the frugality of its dishes). However, being a Muslim country, many of the gastronomic customs are governed by the laws of Islam. One of the best dishes is kibab , kufta , sesame salad with typical Egyptian bread. The guide will accompany you to some local restaurants that have a very good reputation and where you can eat very well, also where you can order the drinks you like and also on the cruise all full board and a buffet. Egyptians neither eat pork nor drink wine because of Islam it is not recommended to drink tap water but the best is mineral water.
Shopping: What is advisable to buy and typical of the country
Basalt objects Papyrus: obtained from the papyrus plant. Genuine papyrus is expensive. Perfumes : If the scent is good, a single drop should give scent for days. Spices: You can buy them in all the Egyptian markets. Clothing: Egyptian cotton is the best in the world. It is world famous. Gold or silver cartouches: elliptical shaped ornaments where the pharaohs inscribed their names with hieroglyphics. Also very typical of Egypt. Basalt objects: very typical of Egypt. The original basalt is black, heavy and quite expensive.
IT IS ADVISABLE TO TRAVEL DURING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN (FASTING).
Ramadan is a month for fasting, family and recollection, in which Muslim believers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. The sacredness of Ramadan, which takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is due to the fact that it was in this month when, according to tradition, the Prophet Mohammed began to receive the revelation of the Koran. As one of the five pillars of Islam – along with prayer five times a day, profession of faith, almsgiving and the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime – fasting must be observed by all Muslims, except pregnant women, women on their periods, the sick, children and travelers.
