Egypt is a country found in the northern part of Africa bordered by Sudan, Libya, Israel and Gaza strip and the Mediterranean Sea by the north. It has a land area of 1, 010,000 square kilometers or 390,000 sq. mi. It has 81 million people making it one of Africa’s most populous countries. It has many monuments and archeological artifacts that depict the history of Egypt through the years.
History
Egypt is said to be one of the foundations of ancient civilization in the Middle East. This is the place where traces of the early men are found and are estimated to be living in the country 700,000 years ago. Ancient Canaan and Egypt were the bridges for the early humans to migrate into places like Europe and Mesopotamia. Hieroglyphics is a phonetic- pictograph writing used in Ancient Egypt that were introduced by Ancient Greeks. This is where the early phonetic alphabet came from, the evolution of writing from pictures that portrays objects to composed words and sound combinations that represents a story stylishly. Ancient Egypt is where great artists are found, they had greatly achieved many informations about medicine, literature, and astronomy. It is also the center of civilization in the North Africa and Near East.
Egyptians are known to believe in after life, that’s the reason why they beautifully arrange the tombs, puts ornamental, and other things that they need in the after life. For rich Egyptians and Pharaohs, their bodies are wrapped in linen and are placed in their tombs. Tombs are placed inside caves or pyramids where the walls are fully decorated with frescos.
Greek historians believe that Egypt is a gift of the Nile. This is because the country has developed and started to build its kingdoms around the Nile River. It is mainly because the Egyptians get their supply of water through irrigation that distribute water to the whole kingdom.
Dynastic Periods
Predynastic Period
This dynasty is said to be a civilization that is highly developed due to the objects found in excavated areas. This dynasty existed by 3400 BC in ancient Egypt.
The Archaic also known as the Early Dynastic Period
This dynasty covers the First and Second dynasty in 3100 BC, known to be the Lower Kingdom Unification by Menes.
The Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom covers the 3d to 6th dynasty during 2600 BC, this is said to be the period of building great pyramids. This is the period where the step pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser was built. There was a rapid evolution of pyramids that involves the more stylish structures that are seen today at Giza and other places in the country.
1st Intermediate Period is known to have the great confusion about many Pharaohs who reigned during the 7th to 10th dynasty during 2200 BC.
Middle kingdom
This kingdom includes the reign of the 11th and 12th dynasty where prosperity was evidently seen through many pyramids that were built during 2100 BC.
Second Intermediate Period
During 1800 BC, the 13th to 17th dynasty belonged to this period where the kingdom was fragmented and rulers are simultaneous at Thebes and Memphis.
The New Kingdom
The 18th and 20th dynasty has this period where the Egyptian history has a fairly complete record and the mummies of almost all the rulers are wonderfully preserved.
Modern Day Egypt
The economy of Egypt now is more diverse with different sectors that include industry, agriculture, tourism and equal service to all people.
The country had a revolution to oust their president for almost 30 years Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and scheduled their presidential elections this May 2012.
Things to See in Egypt
Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world’s most famous monuments, including the Giza pyramids, the Great Sphinx and the ancient temples of Luxor dating back thousands of years. Although focus of most tourist visits remains the great monuments along the Nile, possibilities for Egyptian travel also includes snorkeling and diving along the Red Sea coast.
Other tourist attractions in Egypt include camel trips into the mountains of Sinai, tours to remote oases or visits to the Coptic monasteries of the Eastern Desert.
Below are Egypt’s top three attractions:
Giza Necropolis
The Pyramids of Giza, situated in the immediate vicinity of the southwestern suburbs of Cairo are the undisputable top attractions in Egypt. The pyramids at Giza were built over the span of three generations by Khufu, his second reigning son Khafre, and Menkaure.
Karnak
Although badly ruined, few sites in Egypt are more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest ancient religious site ever built, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of Egyptian builders.
Great Sphinx
The Great Sphinx is a large human-headed lion that was carved from a mound of natural rock. It is located in Giza where it guards the front of Khafra’s pyramid.