Egypt
Egypt is the motherhood of civilization, a land of refuge
and tolerance. This land, which frontiers have not changed for more than 5000
years, witnessed the succession of migrations, currents of ideology,
philosophies and religious beliefs.Egypt is a diversified country, an open sky
museum: pyramids and temples, monasteries and mosques, oases and deserts…. the
waters of the Mediterranean reveal the glory of Alexandria, the Red Sea offers
its: coral reefs, fauna, flora and crystalline water. Egypt is going to
celebrate the seventh millenarian of its written history, in the year 2000, it
will unite with the humanity in watching, from the top of the pyramids, the
passage of another millenarian. In the north-eastern angle of Africa between
Libya and the Red Sea opposite to the Mediterranean, Egypt extends over 1
million km2 frontiers with Sudan, Libya and Israel.Capital Cairo, 16 millions
of inhabitants. Population and religion 64 millions of inhabitants, 90% of
Moslems and 10% of Christians, mostly belonging to the Coptic Church. Climate
and clothes Moderate climate at the coasts and the delta, hot in the south and
the west; night is cold in winter. Light clothes (woolen at night). Protection
against the sun. Shoes fit for long walks. Languages Arabic is the official
language, English and French are spoken in tourists areas. Time / Hour GMT + 2
(October to March) GMT + 3 (April to September) Telephone Foreign countries to
Egypt: 00 international, 20 Egypt, 2 Cairo, 3 Alexandria, 95 Luxor, 97 Aswan,
62 Sharm El Sheikh, 65 Hurghada / El Gouna / Soma / Safaga / El Kosseir / Marsa
Alam.. Electric current 220 volts; in some areas 110 volts. Currency and fax
Currency change is available in first class hotels.Fax is available in first
and second class hotels. Mail A mailed letter to Europe would reach its
destination within a week.
Cairo
Cairo sprang from the foundations of a recent town. recent,
according to Egyptian time standards…. This region was originally settled in
the Paleolithic and witnessed the development of the Neolithic communities….
This region was, since the predynastic period of the paranoiac era, a very
remote extension of On, the center of Rae cult where the priests of Heliopolis
worshipped the sun god…. It was there, that the battle opposing Hours to Seth
took place, according to the Osirian legend It was also there, that the Persian
invaders built in 525 BC the fort of Babylon to control the trade routes of the
Old World….In 117 Trojan, the roman governor of Egypt, repaired the old canal
originally built by the Pharaohs of the 12th dynasty to link, across the Nile
dominated by Babylon, the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea…. During later
periods of the roman occupation, a Christian community grew up around Babylon
where the world's oldest Coptic churches were built, at the end of the
4thcentury: St. Sergius and St. Barbara. Taking hold of Babylon in 639, Amr Ibn
El As, the leader of the Arab army, conquered Egypt and expelled the
Romans…gradually, Egypt converted to Islam…the location of Amr's camp, in front
of Babylon, became the center of a military city El Fostat or the tent… an
extension was to be added by the Abbasssides El Asker or the soldiers... this
was followed by another extension added by the Toulounides El Katayea or the
tribes … therefore the city grew up in splendour: Amr's mosque, the world's
oldest third mosque, the palace of the governor, public bathes, houses,
gardens, markets…. In 969 Gohar, the Fatimides army leader built, to the north
of El Katayea, a much larger city El Kahera or the victorious (Cairo)... .In
973 El Azhar mosque and Islamic University was built…. Cairo became the capital
of Egypt… in 1176 Saladin built the Citadel and surrounded the old city and the
capital, with defensive walls. The reign
of Ismail started, in 1865, a new era of modernization: Cairo was enlarged by
adding new extensions (Road, Gézira, Giza, Dokki and Heliopolis) ….Wide streets
adorned with trees, gardens, Opera house, houses and villas, large hotels ….In
1952, a revolution took place and Egypt became a republic, new cities were
built around Cairo to solve the problems of overpopulation (Nasr city, Ramadan
city, October city, Shourouk city, Oubour city…). Cairo today is one of the
world's largest cities, it is a metropolitan city: many luxurious hotels, wide
variety of restaurants, all types of museums, galleries of arts, Opera house
and theaters, 5 large universities, sports clubs and stadiums, zoological
gardens and entertainment centers (Wonder Land, dream Land, Aqua Park, Crazy
Water….), movies and shopping centers, the Old Bazaar of Khan El Khalili, a
large net of underground metro, bridges and highways, 2 international airports,
floating hotels and restaurants on the Nile, modern hospitals and banks,
aviation and tourist agencies, embassies and cultural centers, languages
schools and universities…. And above all the welcoming Egyptian people. Explore
Cairo Cairo is a city that never sleeps,
it is a 5000 years old megalopolis stretching to the pyramids. Memphis
Necropolis In 3200 BC the legendary Pharaoh "Mena" unified Egypt and
created the first state in history, his capital was
"Memphis"….Parallel to the capital, on the Nile western bank, the
"city of the dead" covered a sandy stretch 50-km long…. More than 80
pyramids, hundreds of tombs and mastabas bearing colored paintings which
represent the daily life of the ancient Egyptians…. Giza pyramids and the
sphinx built 4600 years ago for the pharaohs: Khufu, Khafra and Menkawra Sakkara steps Pyramid, built 4700 years ago
for the pharaoh Djeser, the first rocky construction in history Egyptian Museum Built in 1857, under the supervision of
August Mariette, it contains the fabulous treasure of Tutankhamen, the hall of
mummiesand the largest collection of Pharaonic monuments. Old Cairo Stretching
on the Nile eastern bank, Old Cairo is a mixture of the present and the past,
Coptic and Islamic monuments: Coptic Museum, the most beautiful collection of
Coptic arts (icons, manuscripts, sacerdotal ornaments…) Islamic museum, the most beautiful collection
of Islamic arts (ivory-inlaid wooden doors and screens, mosaic and marble
fountains, silver and gold inlaid weapons, colored glass cups…) St. Serge church, built on the crypt in which
the Holy Family stayed, it is regarded as a source of blessings St. Barbara church built on the southern
tower gate of Babylon fort and dedicated for the Virgin, it houses ebony and ivory
inlaid wooden screens St. Mercurius
church, houses a collection of 175 rare icons.
Amr's mosque is the oldest one in Egypt, it houses a marble column sent
from Mekka in 642 The Citadel and its
alabaster mosque. El Azhar mosque, the
oldest Islamic university in the world. Khan El Khalily bazaars, the oldest
market in Cairo (spices, fruits, ivory, silver, gold, tissues, restaurants and
coffee shops of local type) Modern Cairo Opera house, with its galleries of
arts and music halls. Heliopolis, with its commercial centers and gardens. Floating
restaurants, navigating on the Nile. Sound and light show at Giza pyramids.
Sinai Sharm El Sheikh (
Ras Mohamed ) Best Diving place in the world
The strategic position of Sinai and its mineral resources
had always been of great importance to the pharaohs of Egypt who succeeded to
keep Sinai under control. Historical traces of this influence are not the main
attraction, Sinai visitors are interested in its beaches and its well known
Monastery of St. Catherine Sharm El
Sheikh On Akaba gulf 340 km. to the south -east of Suez "Sharm El Sheikh" is an
important tourstic destination : beaches framed by multicolored mountains from
one side and from the other side the blue sky sea , exquisite coral reefs
,luxurious hotels , marinas and diving centers…… Ras Mohamed On the southern
peak of Sinai 55 km to the south - west of Sharm El Sheikh… Ras Mohamed is a
natural reserve … a refuge for rare forms of life ... the Paradise of divers…
Other Tourist centers Leaving Sharm El Sheikh and heading to the north, following
the coast, there we have 3 centers known for: their beautiful natural frame,
their beaches and their diving sites … these centers are Dahab, Nuweiba and
Taba. St. Catherine's Monastery It looks like a rectangular fort, surrounded by
high granite walls enclosing the different elements of the monastery…built by
the emperor Justinian in 527, it was originally the idea of the empress Helen
of Russia. The monastery is lying between 2 sacredmountains: Moses mountain,
2285 meters high, on which the prophet received the "Tables of the
law"… and St. Catherine mountain, 2367 meters high, on which the angels
placed the body of the saint… discovered 500 years later, the body was
taken the monastery…. The main elements
of the monastery are: A small mosque built in the 10th century Moses fountain
and the garden The library containing
3500 manuscripts (Greek, Arabic, Coptic, Armenian, Syrian, Slavic…) which
represent the second best world collection after that of the Vatican The museum containing the treasure: Russian
and French cups, reliquaries, icons, crosses, sacerdotal ornaments The Church of Byzantine Style, built in the 6
Th century, and containing : paintings of the prophets and the disciples,
Russian lamps in silver and gold ,icons ……a marble sarcophagus containing the
relics of the saint ……..the floor of the church is an Arab mosaic of marble……
Hurghada Red Sea Coast
The beaches of the
Red Sea are worldwide known: its clear blue waters, colored corals and rare
marine life…. Mountains, having different colors and running parallel to the
coastline, separated from the sea only by a plain, most of which is suitable
for safari. It's moderate climate and enchanting natural beauty blend together
to charm the visitors The Red Sea is
surrounded by Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen and
Djibouti. Water temperatures range between 18° C and 21° C in winter, 21° C and
26.5° C in summer. Underwater visibility is excellent up to 30 meters, and
diving is possible up to 45 meters. The average diving depth, however, ranges
between 12 and 25 meters.HURGHADA About 395 km to the south of Suez, Hurghada
has a very pleasant climate all year round and offers facilities for fishing
and snorkeling, diving and windsurfing. It has camping sites.Hurghada is
actually the foremost tourist resort on the Red Sea coast and an international
center for aquatic sports. Its unique underwater coral gardens are the best in
the world. You can have a day-trip to Giftun Island for snorkeling and fishing
or view the marine life through a glass-bottomed boat. When you're not in the
sea you can go shopping or have a safari trip by jeep to the Red Sea
Mountains. El Gouna 22 Km. To the north
of Hurghada, "El gouna" is one of the largest and most up-to date
tourist resorts, housing hotels and restaurants, artificial lakes and marinas,
playgrounds, an airport and diving centers….
Luxor
During the Memphite period of the Old Kingdom, it was only
an obscure town known as Waset or the Scepter (Symbol of sovereignty)…. The
power of Waset increased gradually, in 2060 B.C. Mentohotep, Prince of Waset,
reunified Egypt and extended its sovereignty to Nubia… even when the Hyksos
(asiatic tribes) invaded the Delta and Middle-Egypt in 1785 B.C., Waset did not
submit… in 1580 BC. Ahmos, prince of Waset expelled the Hyksos, reunified Egypt
and Waset became the capital of the New Kingdom, its god Amun became the
supreme state god… during the next six hundred years, Egypt expanded to the
south (Nubia and Kush) and to the east (the Euphrate banks), Waset reached the
peak of the glory, the city of the one hundred gates: (luxurious palaces, huge
temples, large gardens, trading centers, foreign embassies…) it became the
cosmopolitan city of the Egyptian empire and the first city of the old world.
The decline started in 1095 BC, when the great priest of Amum (Herithor) seized
the throne and declared himself pharaoh….The divided Egypt weakened the Empire,
strikes came from the south and the east until the Assyrians destroyed Waset in
665 BC leaving the glorious city in ruins. Waset remained forgotten during the
periods of the Greek and Roman domination. When the Arabs conquered Egypt in
639, being impressed by the ruins of the palaces and temples in Waset, they
named it "Aloksor"or the palaces known today as Luxor. When
Champollion discovered the secrets of the hieroglyphic language in 1822,
attention was drawn to Luxor. Adventurers, archeologists and visitors started
to come, Luxor became a tourist center, a book of history… Explore the historic
Luxor Born more than 5000 years ago: Luxor is by far the largest museum in the
world. Whenever you walk, you will experience the past and the present at the
same time. Built for eternity in granite and sandstone, the tombs and the
temples still stand surrounded by houses, markets and hotels. "In the City
of the living" Luxor and Karnak temple greet the sunrise. In the
"City of the dead" the sunset throws its shadows through the statues
and the columns City of the Living Waset
stretched along the eastern bank of the Nile, its houses and palaces did not
survive, only the houses of gods are still there: Karnak temple: The largest
temple in the world dedicated for Amun. The Pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom
built the oldest structures, the latest ones were added during the Ptolemaic
period. The most outstanding features are the White Chapel of Sesostris I and
the Great Hypo style hall with its 134 huge columns. A long dorms, lined by
sphinx statues, connected Karnak temple to Luxor temple. Luxor temple: Lying 3
km to the south of Karnak temple was built for Mutt. During the Opet (new year
festival), Amun headed the procession starting from Karnak temple and joined
his wife "Mutt" in Luxor temple, the main structures were built by
Amenophis III and Ramses II Luxor markets: take you back to the middle
ages. Luxor museum: a very fine and
exceptional pharaonic collection exhibited elegantly elouca: sail on the Nile
to Banana island. City of the Dead On the western bank of the Nile, stretching
parallel to Waset, lies the great necropolis: Mortuary temples of the great
pharaohs, hundreds of rocky tombs dug in the mountains (Kings valley, Queens
valley, Nobles tombs, workers tombs…) away from the Nile and humidity: Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens,
contain the largest tombs dug deeply in the rocky mountains, the tombs walls
bear colored paintings and inscriptions showing the journey of the dead to the
underworld and his judgment, the tomb of Tutankhamun contains his mummy. The
best well-preserved tombs are those of: Queen Nefertari, Prince
Amunhirkhopchef, King Seti I, King Tutmoses III, King Amenophis II. Tombs of
the Nobles and the workers: The most beautiful tombs of Egypt, its paintings
show every aspect of life in Egypt during the period of the New Kingdom: Nakht
(52), Menna (69), Sennefer (96), Rekhmara (100), Mahou (57), Ramose (55),
Sennedjem (1) Hatchepsut's temple,
unique in its style, 3 successive and overlapping stories framed by the
mountain. Nile cruises It goes up the Nile to Aswan (220 KM to the south of
Luxor) allowing the passengers to enjoy the sceneries of the Egyptian campaign
and to visit the Ptolemaic temples: Esna, Kom Ombo and Edfu Edfu temple: the best well preserved of all
Egypt's temples, built 2325 years ago for the worship of the god Horus. Kom Ombo temple: The only double temple in
Egypt, all the elements of the structure are doubled since it was built forthe
worship of two gods: Haraeoris and Sobek.
Aswan
Yesterday and today Since the period of the Old Kingdom,
Sian was the door of Africa controlling the trade routes from the south to the
north…. It was the harbour and the market; its name is derived from Sianite or
red granite extracted from its quarries…. Opposite to Sian or Aswan, is Abou or
the island of elephants, capital of the first district in Egypt, housing the
palace of its governor…. Because of its geographical position, it had been
chosen by Erathostenes to calculate the radius of the earth in 230 BC…. Aswan
gained more importance, after the high dam construction in 1972, it became a
source of electrical energy and a water reservoir…Explore the historic Aswan
Born more than 5000 years ago, Aswan has been the market of African products:
spices, leathers, ivory, fruits and grains, baskets, mummified and living
crocodiles…. It is the sunniest winter resort in Egypt, the Nile flowing
through amber desert and granite islands covered with palm trees and tropical
plants: Emlephantine island (Abou), and the ancient Nilometer measuring the
floods Botanical island, a small forest
of tropical plants and birds High dam,
one of the world's largest dams (2100000 kw) and its lake, the second in the
world, spreads to Sudan (500 km. Long)
Philae temple, built 2378 years ago, was transferred in 1972 to Aegilika
Island which level is higher than that of the artificial lake… This temple was
dedicated to the goddess Isis Lake cruise: it goes up to Abu Simbel (280 km to
the south of Aswan) allowing the passengers to visit a series of temples built
by the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom (Kalabsha, Wadel Seboua, Amada, Abu
Simbel) The colored and spicy souks of
Aswan The Nubian museum, housing the
finest collection of Nubian arts and monuments.
Salvage of the Nubian temples The lower Nubia is the part of the Nile
valley lying between the first and second cataract, its ancient name was Kush.
Since the period of the Middle Kingdom, Kush was dominated by Egypt and
assimilated gradually the Egyptian influence, pharaohs of successive dynasties
extended the building of their temples to Kush, today Kush is completely
submerged under the waters of the High Dam lake. In 1960, the UNESCO started a
campaign to save the so-called Nubian temples, this successful campaign ended
in 1972 Abu Simbel temples (280 km to the south of Aswan) Built more than 3250
years ago by the great builder Pharaoh Ramses II, the temples entrances are
guarded by the Pharaoh colossal statues. The two temples are completely dug
inside the rocky mountain, the salvage took place in 6 phases: Removing 300000
tons of rocks surrounding the temples, cutting the temple into 1036 blocks, and enumerating each one of them,
transferring the 15000 tons of enumerated blocks to a higher ground level,
reconstruction of the temples, reconstruction of the mountain surrounding the
temples (the same phases were applied for the salvage of Philae temple lying
between the High Dam and Aswan Dam).
Kalabsha temples (10 km to the south of Aswan) Built by the Pharaohs of
the New Kingdom and restored by the Romans, dedicated for Egyptian and Nubian
gods. Its original location was 40 km to the south of the actual one, and was
transferred in the same way as Abu Simbel's.
Wadel Seboua temples (150 km. To the south of Aswan, 2 km north the original
location) Built by Ramses II for Egyptian and Nubian gods. Amada temple (180 km to the south of Aswan, 3
km north the original location) Built by the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom for
Egyptian and Nubian gods. The best well preserved of Nubian temples, it was
transferred in one block package on triple railways. Hermes travel was the
first company to organize cruises, using a sailing yacht, on the lake to visit
the saved Nubian temples…. Actually, it is the only existing sailing yacht on
the lake.
Safaga
Soma Bay Soma is one of the latest tourist destinations in
Egypt, 45Km to the south of Hurghada. Soma bay is well known as a very rich
diving spot. Actually, a new activity is
going on…. Golf, for the time being the game is performed on 9 holes playing
ground…. It is planned to enlarge the playing ground up to 18 holes. SAFAGA
Safaga harbour, 60 Km to the south of Hurghada, is the exporting center
of phosphates since it is very close to the phosphates mines…. Actually, Safaga
has become a tourist destination specialized in diving holidays: the beaches
and the diving spots are still virgin…. It is also an ideal site for windsurf
activities…. A large number of luxurious hotels and tourist resorts provide to
tourists the best facilities… Safari tours by jeep are organized to the Red Sea
Mountains. El Kosseir El Kosseir, 80 Km to the south of Safaga, was the
pharaonic harbour receiving precious stones, spices incense and ivory coming
from Somalia (the country of Punt)…. Actually, besides being a fishermen
village, it is a tourist resort known for its virgin diving spots and its
luxurious hotels…. A Turkish fort, from the 16th century, is still standing in
the middle of the village.
Marsa ALam
Lying 270Km to the
south of Hurghada, it has several rest houses (such as the Egyptian Shooting
Club) and is rich with marine life, being a village with a small harbour, Marsa
Alam is the ideal base for a fishing holiday. There are a lot of fine offshore
coral reefs… diving facilities are being developed. A natural reserve stretches
from here to Gebel Elba in the south.
Oases
Surrounded by an ocean of sterile sands, the oases are green
islands of fertile soil…. Many projects are executed to create a new valley,
parallel to the Nile valley, in this so much promising region (more than 5
millions of feddans are available for agriculture)… Kharga ( 230 Km south to
Assiut ) The most advanced and the
largest oasis (area 3500 Km2, 60 000 inhabitants)… Hibis, the capital's name in
Greek, is divided into amodern city and an ancient one (much smaller in which
the narrow streets are roofed)…. Hibis temple, built by Darius the Persian 2500
years ago, was dedicated to Amun… an ancient Christian necropolis is lying
north to Bagawat, the ancient capital…. Agricultural projects are very
promising: 3000 natural sources of water, 500 artificial water sources, more
than 4 millions of feddans are available for agriculture. To the south, the hot
water natural springs (up to 43°C), well known for the treatment of rheumatism
and allergies Dakhla ( 200 Km to the south west of Kharga ) Almost equal to
Kharga (area 1500 km2, 50000 inhabitants).It is a group of 10 settlements, well
known for its fruits, apricots, and mangos…. The capital Mut, goddess of Waset,
houses the museum of inheritance (showing Dakhla culture and family life)… the
ancient capital El Kasr (35 Km from Mut) is a labyrinth of mud-walled houses
separated by very narrow alleys… A spring of hot sulfured water is close to the
ruins of a temple dedicated to Amun. Baharia ( 330 km to the south -west of
Cairo ) Its 10 000 inhabitants are divided between 4 villages, the largest of
which is Bawiti famous for its dates…. The other three villages are well known
for their water springs (27 °C). There are ruins of ancient temples at El Kasr…
At Bawiti, ruins of an.
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