Exploring Egypt After Retirement

Pink Bear was so excited to be researching Egypt.  She started by gathering some basic information about Egypt, so we would have some understanding of the country before we arrived. 

Geography:  Egypt is in northeastern Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula extending into Asia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south. Although most of the country is desert, the Nile River creates a narrow ribbon of fertile land that has supported life in Egypt for thousands of years. Most Egyptians still live near the Nile or within its broad delta, where the river empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile flows northward through Egypt, connecting many of the country’s most important cities and ancient sites. Cairo, Egypt’s capital and largest city, lies near the Nile Delta in the north. Farther south are Luxor and Aswan, the starting points for many Nile cruises. Hurghada sits along the Red Sea coast, known for its clear water, coral reefs, and abundant marine life.

History:  Ancient Egyptian civilization began more than 5,000 years ago and developed into one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in history. Around 3100 BCE, Upper and Lower Egypt were united under a single ruler, beginning the long era of the pharaohs. Over the centuries, the Egyptians constructed enormous pyramids, temples, monuments, and tombs while making important advances in architecture, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and writing.The pyramids at Giza were built during Egypt’s Old Kingdom, while many of the great temples and royal tombs found near Luxor date from the later New Kingdom. Famous rulers such as Hatshepsut, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun and Ramesses II lived during this period. The pharaohs were eventually followed by periods of Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Ottoman, and British influence.

Culture:  Modern Egypt became a republic in 1953. Today, it is a country where ancient history and everyday modern life exist side by side. Bustling cities, rural villages, desert landscapes, Nile farmland, Mediterranean shores, and Red Sea resorts are all part of the Egyptian experience.