Name: Arab Republic of Egypt

Nationality: Egyptian

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the red Sea north of Sudan and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula

Population: 79 million

Religion: Muslim (mostly sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%

Capital: Cairo

Major language: Arabic

Major religion: Islam 94%

Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 71 years (women) (UN)

Currency: 1 Egyptian Pound = 100 piastres

Internet domain: .eg

International dialling code: +20

Flight time: 4 hours 50 minutes form UK

Time difference: GMT + 2 hours

Electricity: 220 Volt A/C. An adapter for European plugs is needed.

Climate: Egypt has a desert climate (except the coastal strip along the Mediterranean). hot, dry summers with moderate winters. Daily sunshine averages 12 hours in the summer and 8-10 hours in the winter. There are some cloudy days in the north during the winter months, with some rain but few in the south.

Southern Egypt is hot in the summer with low humidity. During the winter months - December, January and February - average daily temperatures stay up around 20°C (68°F) on the Mediterranean coast and a pleasant 26°C (80°F) in Aswan. Maximum temperatures get to 31°C (88°F) and 50°C (122°F) respectively. Winter nights only get down to 8°C (45°F), a very Egyptian version of chilly. Alexandria receives the most rain, with 19cm (7.5in) each year, while Aswan is almost bone-dry with just 2mm annually. Between March and April the khamsin blows in from the Western Desert at up to 150kmph (93mph).

Best time to go: Generally speaking December to February is the tourist high season while June to Augst is the low season in all part of the country except on the coasts.

For a Nile cruise or the Red Sea holiday go between October and May.

Weatherwise June to August is unbearably hot and temperatures during the day can soar up to 40°C. The best time to visit is in the spring, March to May or Autumn, September to November. In January the weather can be overcast and frequent downpours in some areas. Sinai's beaches are a tad chilly for sunbathing.

Entry Requirements and Visa: Travellers from the UK and Republic of Ireland entering Egypt need a passport valid for at least six months after departure from Egypt and must obtain visas from Egptian consulates overseas. Some nationalities must obtain a visa from the Egyptian Consulate prior to travel. Visitors from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Columbia and EU countries can purchase a visa stamp upoon arrival in Egypt at the airport. Visa fee 15 euros and £12.00.

If you plan to leave Egypt and return later or you are on a tour that requires multiple entires, you need to apply for a multiple entry visa. This cannot be obtained on arrival in Egypt.

Need to know: Video Cameras
You must declare your video camera upon entry into Egypt. You will also need to purchase a permit to use the video camera at historical sights.

Departure Tax: There is a departure tax to pay when you leave Egypt. This is $10.00

Tipping:  Everybody wants a tip in Egypt for every slight service rendered. They call it 'baksheesh' which means 'spread the wealth'. Keep a stock of low value currency for tour guides, waiters and porters etc. Even a couple of Egyptian pounds (around 20p) would be welcome. However, this is always discretionary.

Food and Water: In cities both food and water are safe although the change in your diet may produce short-term gastrointestinal upsets. Outside of the cities, stick with bottled water and drinks without ice.

Need to know: Ramadan
Ramadan is the most important religious event for Muslims. It lasts for a month and during this time no eating or drinking is allowed from sunrise to sunset. During this time many cafes, restaurants, shops, bazaars and other services may be closed during the day or have limited opening hours.

11 April 2010