"Ahalan. Kaifa halok." Egypt by seagoingJLW

Egypt Travel Guide: 19,060 reviews and 39,217 photos

The onset of the construction of the Suez Canal was in 1859. The breakwaters were finally completed in 1868 and the canal opened in 1869. From 1903 to 1909 dry docks were built. In 1956 during the Sinai War following Egyptian nationalization of the canal and Egypt blocked the canal in response to air attacks and landings by French and British forces. Due to pressure from the United Nations, France and Britain withdrew and the canal was reopened. In 1967 during theSixDay War Israeli troops occupied the eastern bank and the canal remained closed until 1975. That was the year President Anwar Sadat restored Port Said, built more housing and opened a tx-free industrial zone.

We sailed up the Suez Canal to Port Said. Then we drove a long way to Cairo from Port Said. The police gave us an escort. They said it was too risky for the buses from our ship to travel without them.

Pre History

Here is a link to my Travelogue on Egyptian Gods

Miscellaneous Information

The land of Egypt occupies the extreme northeast corner of the African continent as well as a small piece of southeast Asia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, by Sudan in the south, by the Red Sea and Israel on the east, and by Libya to the west.

Egypt is divided by the Nile and is named accordingly. Upper Egypt is land located upstream (to the south) and lower Egypt refers to land downstream (to the north.)

The Sinai is a triangular shaped peninsula that connects the continents of Africa and Asia. It is surrounded by the Red Sea and bounded on the west by the Gulf of Suez which leads to the Suez Canal.

The Nile is the longest reiver in the worlds, stretching 4,187 miles. It is formed on the south by three major tributaries, the White Nile, the Blue Nile and the Atbara.

The western or Libyan Desert and the eastern Arabian desert together cover two thirds of Egypt's territory.

Arabic is the official language of Egypt, but English and French are widely understood.

The population of Egypt is 62,359,623. The people of Egypt are 94% Sunni Muslim with Coptic Christian and others making up 6%. They are 99% eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouina and Berbers.) Greek, Nubian, Armenian and other European make up the other 1%.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Interesting sights all over
Cons:Too much desert
In a nutshell:Antiquity comes alive here

Last visit to Egypt: Apr 2000
Intro Updated Apr 1, 2004
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Reviews (13)

Sphinx Things to Do (4)

Here is Irwin standing in front of the sphinx. It was carved from a single slab of limestone. Some say it has been the... more travel advice

Pyramids and Sphinx Things to Do (4)

See the pyramids and the sphinx. They are absolutely awesome. I stood transfixed. The picture is of the Pyramid of... more travel advice

Suez Canal Off The Beaten Path (2)

Take a boatride through the Suez Canal. more travel advice

Egyptian Cuisine Restaurants (1)

Bamya-- meat and okra stew Basbusa-- minced meat, okra, cloves, tomato juice Sanyet Batates-- oven potato stew Feteer... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
See All Visit Sharm el Sheik
What to Pack (1)
Packing List

Hotels (1)
Luxurious Hotel
Transportation (2)
See All Here is a map of Egypt

Travelogues (3)

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Comments (40)

maztek Oct 19, 2007 at 5:36 PM Report Abuse

I like visiting Egypt.....one day I wish...good information on your pages.....greetings from this side of the world
awayhome Feb 17, 2004 at 6:40 AM Report Abuse

an amazing country!!! hopefully to visit there someday. great page!!!
eden_teuling Mar 22, 2003 at 2:24 PM Report Abuse

on this serene Saturday night, it is great to travel through your fine tips and excell. Travelogues, thank........bess-elisabeth
nomorewars Feb 1, 2003 at 11:12 AM Report Abuse

Well done. Age & experience are a perfect match.
demonia Aug 3, 2002 at 4:40 AM Report Abuse

Love your lists of gods and symbols
matcrazy1 May 29, 2002 at 11:19 AM Report Abuse

Egyptian Symbols-great and unusual info!
aadil May 29, 2002 at 6:38 AM Report Abuse

Excellent page! Will be there soon!!
JudyinPA Feb 16, 2002 at 6:37 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful history page
serap Feb 14, 2002 at 10:19 AM Report Abuse

great job
fga Feb 12, 2002 at 1:04 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic page!!!!!!!