Adventures in Egypt

Egypt

The place I would like to go on vacation would be Egypt. Egypt is a country full of history.  It has beautiful landscapes, butsling cities and endless historical artifacts. Egypt is 5000 years old.  It has been around since 3100 BC.  Egypt consists of 28 administrative units.  These units consists of a number of towns, cities, and villiages.  Egypt is ranked as the 29th biggest country in the world.  It is located in the northeastern corner on the continent of Africa.  The official religion of Egypt is Islam, but there is a large population of Christians.  These Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church.  The estimated population of all of Egypt is about 79 million people according to the 2007 census.  The majority of the population is found living near the Nile River in towns such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Port Said.  The official language of Egypt is Arabic, but foreign languages such as English, French, German, Italian, and Spanich are also widely spoken, especially within the educated circles.

Cairo



 

Cairo is the capital of Egypt with a population of about 16 million people.  It is considered one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East.  Cairo is the 19th largest city in the world and is considered the city with the most dense population. While visiting Cairo you can see the Cairo Opera House, the Church of St. George, Salah El-Din Citadel and the world famous Cairo Museum.  Within this museum you can see all the antiquities found within the Valley of the Kings.

General Director of Antiquities Zahi Hawass

Luxor

Luxor Temple

Luxor was once a capital of Ancient Egypt.  It is known today as the world's "greatest open-air museum".  Luxor is divided into two areas by the Nile River, the East Bank and the West Bank.  In Ancient Egyptian times it symbolized Life and Death.  While visiting Luxor you can see The Valley of the Kings and The Valley of the Queens, The Temple of Karnak, and the Temple of Medinet Habu. You can also take an exciting cruise down the Nile River from Luxor.

Nile River Cruise

Aswan

Abu Simbel

  Aswan is located 899 km south from Cairo.  It is considered an all time favorite winter destination.  In Aswan you can visit the Temple of Philae, Abu Simbel, or the Aswan Souk.  A souk is a place to trade.  At the Aswan Souk you can experience Nubian culture, shop for spices, souveniers and authentic hand made African crafts.  Aswan is the perfect city to stoll and relax in a magical cultural setting.  Here you can enjoy Nubian music and have a splendid view of the Nile River.  It is another location where you can start a Nile Cruise.

Alexandria

Alexandria's Corniche

Qaitbay Fort

Alexandria Library

Borg el-Arab Beach

Attarine Souq

Alexandria is known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean".  Very little of the old city remains today but its ambience and old residence houses give it an old world feel.  Here you can see the Catacombs of Kom el-Shouquafa, the underwater ruing of Monthzah and Maamoura, Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque and beautiful beaches. 


It would be a dream come true to be able to go explore these wonderful sites.  Egypt is so full of history that any lover of history would want to see before they die.

Hot Air Ballooning over the Valley of the Kings

Camel Ride to the Pyramids

Chantal Chamandy singing in front of the Pyramids.

“(Egypt) is a great place for contrasts: splendid things gleam in the dust.”

― Gustave Flaubert, Flaubert in Egypt: A Sensibility on Tour

“And Egypt ? What is Egypt strenght?her resilience ?her ability to absorb poeple and events into the pores of her being? is that true or is it just a consolation ? a shifting of responsibility? and if it is true , how much can she absorb and still remain Egypt ?”

― Ahdaf Soueif, The Map of Love