Egypt Facts
Capital: Cairo
Government Type: Republic
Population: 85,294,388
Total Area: 386,660 Square Miles
1,001,450 Square Kilometers
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula
Language: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Languages
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes. Arabic is the official language in Egypt, although English and French are used in business and education. The written language differs from the spoken Egyptian dialect used in daily life. The Cairene dialect is the standard for spoken Egyptian; the people are extremely proud of it. They like to use it for wordplays, jokes, clichés, and riddles. Cairene is therefore both the spoken language and an integral part of Egyptian culture.
The Egyptian People
Friends of the same sex usually shake hands and kiss each other on the right and left cheek. This process may repeat a few times if the friends have not seen each other for a long period of time. If a woman extends her hand, than a man may shake it. First names are not used unless one is given permission. To thank someone for a compliment, one may respond with a compliment of their own or they may give Allah’s (God’s) blessings.
Where to find more out about Egypt
Ahmed's Egyptian Index
Egy.com
Egypt Tourism Net
Online Newspapers
Tour Egypt
Virtual Egypt