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A magical land of stunning ruins, amazing history, fabulous scenery and some of the world's most ancient wonders, but there is so much more to it than that...

The Arab Republic of Egypt

Egypt - the ancient home of many magnificent sights: the pyramids, the Great Sphinx at Giza, Luxor and the magnificent Nile River. A country of great diversity, from rugged mountain terrain to the lush vegetation of the valleys, all surrounded by fine desert sands. A pivotal place in the formation of world civilisation, Egypt today is an enchanting blend of the ancient and the very new.

Aswan

Pictured (right): The high-tech hi-rise skyline of modern day Cairo.

Aswan is the gateway to Africa and thus has always been a very busy and prosperous commercial city. Situated at the end of the Nile and close to the Tropic of Cancer, this city was once known as Sunt and is the home of Elephantine Island. This is littered with temples and ruins that, while not as well preserved as elsewhere, when combined with the dazzling sight of the Nile flowing from the High Dam and Lake Nasser, make for an inspiring view.

Cairo

Cairo is the epitome of all things Egyptian, as it has been for about 1,000 years. Life here is varied; you only have to look out onto the street to see a donkey cart and a Mercedes sharing the same road, indicative of the spread of wealth and the different lifestyles of its inhabitants.

Cairo’s population is estimated at between 12 and 16 million, but this figure does not include those who live in the squatter camps on the outskirts of the city, thought to be home to in excess of 5 million people. The Government is looking to address the issue of overcrowding and congestion here by opening an underground system and constructing proper suburbs.

Whatever the final headcount, one thing is certain however: Cairo is not just the largest city in Egypt, but also the largest in Africa or the Middle East region.

When visiting the medieval quarter, Islamic Cairo, it feels you are taking a trip back in time. It is the most densely populated area of Egypt. Mosques, temples, street vendors, camels and donkeys are scattered along the tiny streets. The Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of the world’s largest mosques and the Mausoleum of Imam ash-Shafi’l is the both burial site of one of Islam’s greatest saints and the largest tomb in Egypt.

Coptic Cairo

Coptic Cairo is older than Islamic Cairo by about 900 years and was built as a Roman fortress and one of the earliest bases of Christianity. Its history is fascinating, and can be as much about geographical and visual splendour as museums.

The Fortress of Babylon overlooked this important port on the Nile before the river changed course. The Coptic Museum at the foot of the tower is a comprehensive collection of religious and artistic exhibits.

Giza

Giza, on the West Bank of the Nile, is the home of the pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx of Giza and other temples are all in the same area. All have seen the rise and fall of dynasties, and their longevity and splendour mean they receive a great many visitors each year.

Pictured (right): The Valley of The Kings on the West Bank at Luxor in 'upper' Egypt contains many of the tombs of pharaohs from the Egyptian 'New Kingdom' (BC 1550-1070) including those of Tutankhamun and Ramesses the Great.

For many hundreds of years people have been visiting the temples of Luxor, Karnak, Hetsgepsut and Ramses II (also known as Ozymandius, King of Kings). Luxor was built on the site of the ancient city of Thebes, and the magnificent monumental architecture and its excellent condition make Luxor one of Egypt's most-popular tourist destinations.

Luxor Temple, built by Pharaoh Amenophis III, has been added to by Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Nectanebo, Alexander the Great and various Romans. Luxor is accessible from Cairo by buses or trains that run every day.

Port Said

Port Said is on the northern entrance to the Suez Canal on the Mediterranean coast. A very young city by Egyptian standards, it came into being when the excavations began for the Suez Canal. Bombed repeatedly during the Suez crisis and wars with Israel, damage is still visible despite extensive rebuilding. One of the most remarkable sights to behold is the queuing of the vast ships as they prepare to enter the enormous channel that is the mouth of the canal.

Pictured (left) camel rides are still a favourite in Egypt - particularly at ancient sites - for tourists.

Port Said is not inundated with tourists, but it has plenty to offer, with good museums and architecture and a calm and quiet atmosphere.

These links might be useful for further study on Egypt:

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