Overview
While best known for its pyramids and ancient civilisations, Egypt has played a central role in Middle East politics in modern times. Its three wars with Israel in 1948, 1967 and 1973, then its eventual peace with its adversary in 1979, have seen Egypt move from being a warring nation to become a key representative in the peace process.
Map
Facts
| Full name: | Arab Republic of Egypt |
|---|---|
| Population: | 76.8 million (UN, 2008) |
| Capital: | Cairo |
| Area: | 1 million sq km (386,874 sq miles) |
| Major language: | Arabic |
| Major religions: | Islam, Christianity |
| Life expectancy: | 69 years (men), 74 years (women) (UN) |
| Monetary unit: | 1 Egyptian Pound = 100 piastres |
| Main exports: | Petroleum, petroleum products and cotton |
| GNI per capita | US $1,580 (World Bank, 2007) |
| Internet domain: | .eg |
| International dialling code: | +20 |
BBC iPlayer
TV
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Heir Hunters - 13. Lee/Allen13. Lee/Allen, 15 Jul 09The team casts its net across the world in search of heirs for Elfie Lee, who left behind a 300,000 pound estate, and Dorothea Allen, a millionairess with a double life.
Watch "Heir Hunters - 13. Lee/Allen" now
Radio
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The Wednesday Documentary - Episode 3Episode 3, 18 Jul 09Some experts now argue that deserts could get greener. This week, Ayisha Yahya meets scientists in Egypt experimenting with high-tech techniques to make the desert bloom.
Listento "The Wednesday Documentary - Episode 3" now
Knowledge
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History - Amenhotep III (c.1391 - c.1354 BC)History
A vast harbour and canal network linked these buildings to the river Nile and allowed direct access to the king's new temple at Luxor and the great state temple of Amun at Karnak.
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History - Ancient Egypt and the Modern WorldHistory
Parallel to the Nile on both banks of the river runs the Black Land - the narrow strip of fertile soil that allowed the Egyptians to practice the most efficient agriculture in the ancient world.
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Radio 4 - Unearthing Mysteries 28/12/2004Radio 4
The base of this layered mound of earthen clods is larger than that of the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt. It is part of a 6 mile complex of mounds and plazas from an ancient civilisation.
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Religion & Ethics - Moses: Evidence - Moses' beginningsReligion & Ethics
The story goes that Moses led two million Hebrews out of Egypt and they lived for 40 years in the Sinai desert - but a century of archaeology in the Sinai has turned up no evidence of it.
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Religion & Ethics - Moses: Moses' significanceReligion & Ethics
The other great face to face encounter with God is when Moses has brought the Israelites out of Egypt and has returned with them to Sinai where he first met God.
Blogs
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The state of the Ark02 Jul 09 | William Crawley - Will & Testament
The holiest relic of ancient Israel: The Ark of the Covenant. The location of Sheba has been disputed, but is usually placed by scholars in southern Arabia, not Africa. ...
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The President Obama speech in full04 Jun 09 | Eddie Mair - PM
For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. ...
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It must be Thursday...04 Jun 09 | Victoria Derbyshire - Victoria Derbyshire's Blog
Plus live, we'll bring you President Obama in Egypt speaking about the future of the Middle East. ...
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White House interview02 Jun 09 | Simon Wilson - The Editors
We wanted to press the president firmly on human rights in Egypt, where he is making his big speech this week, and on his public disagreement with the Israelis over West Bank settlements. ...
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Obama's Middle East Plan18 May 09 | Mark Urban - Newsnight: Mark Urban
Mr Netanyahu came to power earlier this year on a wave of right wing, nationalistic, support following his country's fight with Hamas in Gaza. ...
Coming Up
TV
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Lee/AllenBBC One, 23 Jul 09 02:35
As they hunt for potential heirs, the team members at Fraser and Fraser are forced to spread the net far and wide.
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The Language of the UniverseBBC Four, 25 Jul 09 19:30
After showing how fundamental mathematics is to our lives, du Sautoy explores the mathematics of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece.
Sport
Sport Articles
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Santos grab Confed Cup win19 Jul 09Angola's Santos beat Enppi of Egypt 1-0 in Group A of the Confederation Cup on Sunday in Luanda.. Mohammed El Herda scored the only goal of the game in Alexandria six minutes after the break.
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Monomotapa stun Etoile19 Jul 09The Nigerian club knocked out six-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt in the third round in May, in one of the biggest upsets in African club competition in recent years.
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Upcoming Fixtures10 Jul 09
Upcoming Fixtures July 2009 18-25 July: Manchester City tour of South Africa to play Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs 17-19: African ...
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Southampton & Wotte part company09 Jul 09Wotte recently turned down a job in Egypt to remain with the Saints, despite the uncertainty over the future of the St Mary's club.
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Prentice finishes outside medals09 Jul 09Egypt's Aya Mdany won individual gold in Chinese Taipei, with Russia's Svetlana Lebedeva second and Margaux Isaksen of the United States third.
Sport Clips
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Kano Pillars send Al Ahly crashing out05 May 09Chairman of Nigerian club Kano Pillars, Tukur Babangida, talks to the BBC's Steve Vickers about knocking defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt out of the African Champions League.
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A look at Egypt's preparations for U-20 World Cup07 Apr 09
The BBC's Hend Akram in Cairo tells Matthew Kenyon about the state of preparations for Egypt's hosting of the Under-20 World Cup.
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Wigan manager fumes at absent Zaki07 Apr 09
Zaki missed Sunday's 4-0 thrashing by Everton, as he had yet to return from Egypt, where he played in a World Cup qualifier a week earlier.
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Analysis of Under-20 World Cup draw07 Apr 09
From Fast Track on the BBC World Service: Matthew Kenyon looks at Afica's prospects after the draw for the Under-20 World Cup, and the state of preparations in the host country, Egypt.
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Ghana under-20 coach looks ahead03 Feb 09Ghana's youth coach, Sellas Tetteh, talks to the BBC's Michael Oti Adjei looks ahead to the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt after leading is side to the African Youth Championship title in Rwanda.
Listento "Ghana under-20 coach looks ahead" now
Around the web
News From Other Sources
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I Believe I Can Fly17 Jul 09 | Slate Magazine
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'Iran arms path to Hamas hit hard by Gaza war'17 Jul 09 | Haaretz
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EGYPT: 230 Death Sentences in Six Months16 Jul 09 | Inter Press Service
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Israeli warships in Suez are latest signal to Iran15 Jul 09 | Xinhua News Agency
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Welcome to the Middle East, 203015 Jul 09 | Guardian Unlimited
Weather
Weather for Cairo
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions |  sunny | sunny | sunny |
| Max Temperature | Max:37°C/99°F | Max:37°C/99°F | Max:37°C/99°F |
| Min Temperature | Min:22°C/72°F | Min:22°C/72°F | Min:23°C/73°F |
News
News Articles
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Enduring allure of Egyptian belly dance18 Jul 09 | Middle East
It is well-established in Europe and the US and has recently spread to Asia. Anyone who comes to Egypt one time, she cannot stop coming back."
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Ultra-orthodox Jews visit Hamas17 Jul 09 | Middle East
Israel and most Western countries regard Hamas as a terrorist group and refuse to deal directly with it.
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Wanted Bashir 'drops Uganda trip'16 Jul 09 | Africa
Sudan leader Omar al-Bashir reportedly cancels a trip to Uganda, after claims he may be arrested under an ICC warrant..
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Israel's military message to Iran16 Jul 09 | Middle EastIsrael is also increasingly concerned about arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Analysts believe that much of the weaponry travels by sea from Iran to Sudan and then on to Egypt.
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India and Pakistan: Breaking the ice?16 Jul 09 | South AsiaThe two leaders met on the sidelines of a summit in Egypt So, behind the headlines, everyone in the two countries is trying to make sense of what has changed in the past few months.
News Clips
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India puts Pakistan talks on hold17 Jul 09India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has said his country will not start peace talks with Pakistan until the Mumbai attacks suspects are brought to justice. ...
Watch "India puts Pakistan talks on hold" now -
Egypt loses taste for belly dancing13 Jul 09Belly dancing is said to have been practised in Egypt since the time of the pharoahs and is increasing in popularity internationally, but some experts in Egypt fear the art is in danger of dying out.
Watch "Egypt loses taste for belly dancing" now -
Egyptian anger over slain mother12 Jul 09The stabbing to death of a young Egyptian mother inside a courtroom in Germany last week has provoked a groundswell of anger in Egypt.
Watch "Egyptian anger over slain mother" now -
Iran crisis: The Egyptian view24 Jun 09The BBC's Cairo correspondent Christian Fraser assesses the mood in Egypt over the Iran election crisis.
Watch "Iran crisis: The Egyptian view" now -
Russian president visits Egypt23 Jun 09The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in Egypt at the start of a four-day trip to Africa.
Watch "Russian president visits Egypt" now
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