Egypt
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Cairo
- Population
- 112,870,457 (2025 est.)
- Area
- 1,001,450 sq km
- Government
- presidential republic
- Religions
- Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10%
- Ethnic Groups
- Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.)
- Currency
- Egyptian pounds (EGP)
- Life Expectancy
- 75 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .eg
- Climate
- desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
- Terrain
- vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
- Natural Resources
- petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc
- Major Exports
- refined petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers, garments, crude petroleum (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations in Egypt.