Egypt culture and customs guide will assist you while traveling to Egypt cities and will help you to blend in with the locals in your next tour to Egypt
Egypt’s culture is a unique blend of antiquity and modernity. Egyptians are very proud of their ancient heritage, and with such iconic monuments, impressive art and unique architecture, it’s no wonder Egyptians are as mesmerised as foreigners are.
Just as in ancient times, religion plays a large part in daily life with most Egyptians being either Sunni Muslim or Coptic Christian. Much of life revolves around daily prayer and religious holidays, with Ramadan and Eid being the most important events in the calendar for Muslims.
Ornate mosques and historic churches can be found almost everywhere in Egypt, and serve as important places of worship as well as social meeting points. The influence of modern Western culture is particularly evident in large cities likes Cairo and Alexandria, with television, radio and internet all bringing pop culture, fashion and literature to Egypt.
Despite this, Egypt clings strongly to tradition with family still being at the top of most Egyptians’ priorities. Loyalty to ones family, respect for elders and honouring ancestors are hallmarks of Egyptian life. Food is another important part of Egyptian culture with traditional Middle Eastern fare being prepared and served in most family homes, restaurants and markets.
Food is also the focal point of most celebrations, as is music – with modern Egyptians keeping folk music traditions alive by playing Arabic instruments like the oud at weddings and other celebrations. To get the true picture of Egyptian culture and customs, be sure to sample local delicacies, listen to traditional music often played in cafes and restaurants, and chat with locals who wish to share their stories and lives with you.
Some Intrepid trips offer the rare chance to stay with a local family – what better way to experience local life?
Egypt is what we call a transcontinental country. It sits in both Africa and Asia. However, the most significant part of Egypt is in Africa, which is why most consider it Africa. The other small piece of Egypt is in Asia.
The Nile River is one of the most significant geographical features of Egypt, providing the country with fertile land for agriculture and sustaining millions of people. The river flows from south to north, and the Nile Valley and Delta region is home to most of the country’s population and economic activities.
Cairo is fan-shaped, narrowest in the south, where the river valley is wedged between desert escarpments, and widest in the north, where the valley blends into the delta. Over the centuries the city expanded westward, as a receding river channel left land flood-free.
With a population of approximately 105,000,000 people, Egypt is located in the northeast corner of the African continent on the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered to the northeast by Palestine and Israel, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west.
Egypt has an area of 1,002,450 km2 (387,050 sq mi) which makes it the 29th largest country in the world. The longest straight-line distance in Egypt from north to south is 1,420 km (880 mi), while that from east to west measures 1,275 km (792 mi).
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