Egypt Geography and Maps
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. The geography of Egypt can be divided into four different regions: the Nile Valley and Delta, the Western Desert, the Eastern Desert and the Sinai Peninsula.
Despite covering only about 5.5% of the total area of Egypt, the Nile Valley and Delta are the most important regions in the country. The majority of Egypt’s population lives there as it is the only region with cultivatable land. The Nile is the world’s largest river at 6,690 km (4,160 mi) long. Construction of dams like the Aswan High Dam on the Nile allowed the population to control the annual flooding of the river which in turn protects and supports farmland.
The Western Desert covers an area of some 700,000 square kilometres which makes up approximately two-thirds of Egypt’s total land area. The Western Desert is one of Egypt’s most arid regions and is sparsely inhabited. It is home to many oases including Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharijah, the largest oasis in the country.
The Eastern Desert is relatively mountainous with the most prominent feature being a chain of rugged mountains known as the Red Sea Hills. Some of these hills reach altitudes of 900 m (2,952.75 ft) above sea level. While this area of Egypt is essentially uninhabited, it contains many of the country’s natural resources including coal, gems and oil.
The Sinai Peninsula is a triangularly shaped plateau that is linked to the Egyptian mainland at the Gulf of Suez. The Peninsula is divided into three sections, a southern section, a middle section and a northern section. The southern section features a geological extension of the Red Sea Hills and houses Mount Catherine, the country’s tallest peak at 2,629 m (8,625 ft). Mount Sinai, the biblical place where Moses received the Ten Commandments is near Mount Catherine. The northern section is a flat, sandy coastal plain.
Egypt Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Egypt.
Learn about the history and culture of Egypt, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Egypt's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, and 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Egypt for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Egypt tours today!
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AfricaExperts is the exclusive division of Goway that specializes in planning and organizing Egypt tours and experiences. Choose from a simple city stopover, see the country highlights on our classic itineraries, enjoy a beach stay, locally escorted tour, a stay of distinction, or a cruise on the Nile and more. We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting to Egypt.
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