Exploring the Culture and History of Egypt

Egypt is famed for its ancient civilization; the name alone evokes images of pharaohs and giant pyramids. A transcontinental country, linking North Africa to the Middle East, Egypt is bordered by Libya, Sudan, Israel and the Gaza Strip and has coastlines on the abundant Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

Its capital is Cairo, where visitors can experience the splendor and mystery of the Great Pyramids, perhaps Egypt’s most iconic sight. Other important cities include the port city of Alexandria, located on the northern coast, and Aswan, a city on the River Nile, known for its archaeological sites such as the Philae temple complex.

From the dusty, dry lands of the Sahara Desert to the sunny shores of the Red Sea, world-renowned for its coral reefs, Egypt is a country of contrasts. The national language is Arabic, spoken by the majority of the 95 million inhabitants. Much of the population is concentrated in cities, towns and rural communities along the fertile Nile Valley and Nile Delta, the only arable land in the country. On a holiday to Egypt, you can expect to be greeted by warm hospitality; locals will often invite visitors to share strong Arabic coffee with them.

History of Egypt

Undoubtedly, Egypt boasts one of the longest histories in the world, spanning back to at least the 4th millennium BC. Sometimes cited as the ‘Cradle of Civilization,’ the country appeals to travelers for its ancient monuments, which are most abundant around the fertile Nile Valley and include treasures such as the Giza Necropolis, the Valley of the Kings and the iconic Great Sphinx.

Ancient Egypt, the famous epoch in history, still immortalized today in literature and film, is heralded for its amazing progression in language, writing, architecture, organized religion, agriculture and government, with the earliest known hieroglyphics estimated to date to around 3200 BC and the first pyramid structures thought to have been built in around 2700 BC. The first unified Ancient Egyptian kingdom began in 3150 BC, and reigning dynasties continued for almost 3000 years, with different kingdoms and intermediate periods within this time frame.

The most well-known pharaohs, such as Tutankhamun and Ramesses II, were present in the period of the New Kingdom, between 1550 and 1070 BC. During this unique time in the country’s history, Egyptian culture, religion and traditions flourished. Concepts and practices such as the afterlife, mummification and cosmic order were popular at the time and still ignite the imaginations of historians and everyday people in the present day.

Fast-forward to today and Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, although it was an early center of Christianity, before the 7th century. Despite a turbulent history of occupation, the nation declared independence from the British Empire in 1922, although the influence of the empire remained until the revolution of 1952. For travelers wishing to experience one of the world’s oldest civilizations, a package holiday to Egypt allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs and immerse themselves in the splendor of times gone by.

If you dream of immersing yourself in the world's oldest civilization, walking in the footsteps of the greats, such as Tutankhamun and Ramesses II, and exploring a country rich in natural beauty, from the Red Sea to the Sahara Desert, a holiday to Egypt is an unforgettable experience, and the perfect choice for lovers of history, nature and culture.

Get your clients to know Egypt with any of our tours:

• Great Pyramids & Full-Board Nile Cruise. Egypt in 9 Days, prices from $1,999
• Desert, Land of Pharaohs & Nile Cruise. Morocco & Egypt in 16 Days, prices from $3,399
• Pyramids, Nile Cruise & All-Inc. Red Sea. Egypt in 12 Days, prices from $2,399
• Hashemite Kingdom, Pyramids & Nile Cruise. Jordan & Egypt in 16 Days, prices from $2,499

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