# Egypt

> country in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia

**Wikidata**: [Q79](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/egypt

## Summary

Egypt is a country located in the continent of Africa[1]. The official language spoken in Egypt is Arabic[2]. As of 2023, Egypt has a population of 107.5M[3]. 
Egypt spans multiple time zones, including UTC+02:00, UTC+03:00, and Africa/Cairo[4].

## Summary
Egypt is a sovereign transcontinental state located in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia, officially known as the Arab Republic of Egypt. With its capital in Cairo and a population exceeding 114 million as of 2023, it is a major regional power and a founding member of the League of Arab States. The nation is distinguished by its ancient history, the Nile River, and its strategic position bridging Africa and Asia via the Sinai Peninsula.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Arab Republic of Egypt (جُمهورِيّةُ مِصرَ العَرَبيّةِ).
*   **Inception:** February 28, 1922, marked by the Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence (Kingdom of Egypt).
*   **Capital:** Cairo (preferred); historically included Thinis (until -270) and Memphis (until -221).
*   **Population:** 114,535,772 (2023 estimate).
*   **Area:** 1,010,407.87 square kilometers.
*   **Currency:** Egyptian pound.
*   **Official Language:** Arabic.
*   **Head of State:** Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (since June 8, 2014).
*   **Head of Government:** Mostafa Madbouly (since June 14, 2018).
*   **Time Zone:** UTC+02:00 (standard), UTC+03:00 (daylight saving).
*   **International Calling Code:** +20.
*   **Top-Level Domain:** .eg, .مصر.
*   **ISO Codes:** EG (Alpha-2), EGY (Alpha-3), 818 (Numeric).
*   **Emergency Numbers:** 122 (Police), 123 (Medical), 180 (Fire).
*   **Driving Side:** Right.
*   **Highest Point:** Mount Catherine (2,629 meters).
*   **Lowest Point:** Qattara Depression (-133 meters).
*   **Human Development Index (HDI):** 0.731 (2021).
*   **Literacy Rate:** 71% (2017).
*   **Gini Coefficient:** 31.5 (2017).
*   **VAT Rate:** 14%.
*   **Motto:** "مصر أمّ الدنيا" (Egypt is the Mother of the World).
*   **National Anthem:** "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady".
*   **Electricity:** 220V, 50Hz; Plug types Europlug and Type C.
*   **Marriageable Age:** 21 years for all genders.
*   **Age of Majority:** 21 years.
*   **Compulsory Education:** Ages 6 to 14.
*   **Borders:** Sudan, Libya, Israel, Palestine, and the Hala'ib Triangle.
*   **Major Water Bodies:** Mediterranean Sea, Nile River, Red Sea.

## FAQs

**What is the geographical scope of Egypt?**
Egypt is a transcontinental country spanning Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia, with the Sinai Peninsula serving as the land bridge connecting the two continents. It is situated in North Africa and shares borders with Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the northeast.

**Which international organizations does Egypt belong to?**
Egypt is a founding member of the League of Arab States (joined March 22, 1945) and the African Union (joined July 9, 2002). It is also a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the BRICS group, among many others including Interpol and UNESCO.

**How has Egypt's population changed over recent decades?**
The population has grown significantly, rising from approximately 28 million in 1960 to over 114 million in 2023. Demographic data indicates a birth rate of 22.107 per 1,000 people in 2022 and a life expectancy of 71.484 years as of 2016.

**What are the key economic indicators for Egypt?**
As of 2022, Egypt's nominal GDP was approximately $476.7 billion USD. The country operates with a VAT rate of 14% and a Gini coefficient of 31.5 as of 2017, indicating a moderate level of income inequality. The official currency is the Egyptian pound.

**What is the political structure of Egypt?**
Egypt functions as a republic with a President serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The legislative body is the Parliament of Egypt, and the highest judicial authority is the Supreme Constitutional Court.

**What languages are spoken in Egypt?**
While Arabic is the official language, the country utilizes a variety of dialects and languages including Egyptian Arabic, Libyan Arabic, Bedawi Arabic, Saʽidi Arabic, and Coptic. English is also widely used, alongside minority languages like Kenzi, Siwa, and Beja.

## Why It Matters
Egypt holds immense geopolitical significance as a transcontinental bridge between Africa and Asia, controlling the Suez Canal, a critical global maritime chokepoint. Its historical legacy as the cradle of one of the world's oldest civilizations continues to influence global culture, tourism, and archaeology. As a founding member of the Arab League and a key player in the African Union, Egypt acts as a diplomatic stabilizer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Economically, it serves as a major market and industrial hub for the continent, with a rapidly growing population that drives regional consumption and labor dynamics.

## Notable For
*   **Ancient Heritage:** Home to the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, iconic symbols of human history.
*   **Transcontinental Status:** One of the few nations to span two continents (Africa and Asia).
*   **Diplomatic Leadership:** A founding member of the League of Arab States and a key signatory to the Camp David Accords (implied by relations with Israel).
*   **Population Scale:** One of the most populous nations in Africa and the Arab world, with over 114 million citizens.
*   **Strategic Waterways:** Controls the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
*   **Cultural Diversity:** Hosts a unique blend of Arab, African, and Mediterranean cultures, with a rich linguistic landscape including Coptic and various Arabic dialects.
*   **Historical Capitals:** Successive capitals included Thinis, Memphis, and modern Cairo, reflecting millennia of political evolution.
*   **Religious Jurisprudence:** A stronghold for the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence, particularly in Upper Egypt.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Egypt is situated in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia, with the Sinai Peninsula forming the Asian portion of the country. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east. The country shares land borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the northeast. The Hala'ib Triangle is a disputed area along the Sudanese border. The nation's geography includes the Nile River, which flows northward through the country, and the Qattara Depression, the lowest point at -133 meters. The highest point is Mount Catherine at 2,629 meters. The coordinates of the country range from 21.72569656°N to 31.63°N latitude and 24.70069885°E to 36.89432144°E longitude.

### History and Political Evolution
The modern state of Egypt traces its inception to February 28, 1922, with the Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence, which established the Kingdom of Egypt. Prior to this, the region was under British influence. The country replaced the Kingdom of Egypt and the All-Palestine Government (1959–1967) in its current form. The capital has shifted historically from Thinis (until 303 BCE) to Memphis (until 221 BCE) and finally to Cairo, which remains the current capital. The country has participated in major conflicts including World War II, the War of Attrition, and the Yom Kippur War. The current head of state is Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who assumed office on June 8, 2014, and the head of government is Mostafa Madbouly, who took office on June 14, 2018.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2023, Egypt's population is estimated at 114,535,772, with a significant portion residing in urban areas. The population is predominantly Egyptian, comprising 99.6% of the total as of 2024. The birth rate has shown a gradual decline, dropping from 23.568 in 2019 to 22.107 in 2022. The death rate has risen slightly from 5.581 in 2019 to 6.39 in 2022. Life expectancy has improved, reaching 71.484 years in 2016. The literacy rate stands at 71% as of 2017. The country has a total fertility rate of 3.338 (2014 estimate). The age of majority and marriageable age are both set at 21 years. Compulsory education is required for children between the ages of 6 and 14.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Egypt's economy is supported by a nominal GDP of $476.7 billion USD in 2022. The official currency is the Egyptian pound. The Value Added Tax (VAT) rate is 14%. The country's Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.731 in 2021, with an inequality-adjusted HDI of 0.519 for the same year. The Gini coefficient, measuring income inequality, was 31.5 in 2017. The electrical system operates at 220 volts and 50 Hz, utilizing Europlug and Type C outlets. The driving side is on the right, and the railway traffic side is on the left. The country code for international dialing is +20, and the top-level internet domains are .eg and .مصر.

### Culture and Religion
The official language is Arabic, with Egyptian Arabic being the most widely spoken dialect. Other languages include Libyan Arabic, Bedawi Arabic, Saʽidi Arabic, Kenzi, Coptic, Siwa, Beja, and English. The national motto is "مصر أمّ الدنيا" (Egypt is the Mother of the World). The national anthem is "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady." The dominant religion is Islam, with the Maliki school of jurisprudence prevalent in Upper Egypt. The country has a rich cultural heritage, including the famous Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The national flag features red, white, and black stripes with the Eagle of Saladin in the center.

### International Relations and Memberships
Egypt is a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations (joined September 2, 1971, succeeding the United Arab Republic), the African Union, the League of Arab States (founding member, 1945), and the World Trade Organization (1995). It is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Interpol (founding member, 1923), UNESCO, and the BRICS group. Diplomatic relations are maintained with countries such as Canada, Italy, Brazil, Russia, Germany, Israel, Australia, Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Ethiopia, Palestine, France, the United Kingdom, and many others. Egypt shares borders with Sudan, Libya, Israel, and Palestine, and has specific border agreements regarding the Hala'ib Triangle and the Egypt–Israel border.

### Administrative Divisions
The country is divided into several governorates, including Alexandria, Aswan, Asyut, Beheira, Beni Suef, Cairo, Dakahlia, Damietta, Faiyum, Gharbia, Giza, Ismailia, Kafr el-Sheikh, Matruh, Minya, Monufia, New Valley, North Sinai, Port Said, Qalyubia, Qena, Red Sea, Sharqia, Sohag, South Sinai, Suez, and Luxor. The capital governorate is Cairo. The country is also part of the Middle East and West Asia regions.

### Data and Identifiers
Egypt is identified by various international codes and identifiers: ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code "EG", alpha-3 code "EGY", and numeric code "818". The UN M49 code is 818. The country has a Wikidata ID of Q79, a Freebase ID of /m/02k54, and a Geonames ID of 357994. It is also listed in the Library of Congress Authority Catalog with ID n80061791. The country's flag image is available on Wikimedia Commons, and the coat of arms is the official emblem. The country is associated with the subreddit "Egypt" and has a presence on various social media platforms.

## References

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2. Constitution of Egypt
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28. [Source](https://data.who.int/countries/818)
29. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
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36. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
37. BabelNet
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40. [Source](http://otif.org/fileadmin/user_upload/otif_verlinkte_files/06_tech_zulass/05_Reglementation_en_vigueur/Neu_ab_01_01_2015/UTP_MARKING_2015_e_in_force.pdf)
41. [Source](http://uic.org/country-codes)
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