Islam is the dominant religion in Cairo. 32. The country has one of the longest histories of any other on the planet, dating back more than 5,000 years! Approximately 99% of the population lives on about 5.5% of the land. Accessed: April 18, 2011. Of course, we now know that the flooding is caused by heavy rains and melting snow. False eyes could be made from onions. The longest documented reign of any monarch is that of Egypts Pharaoh Pepi II who ruled for 94 years from around 2281 BC. The city of Cairo boasts varied cultures and social classes under a robust natural environment. Major televisions and radio broadcasting services in Egypt are controlled by the government. By night, its the best place in the country to observe the night sky without any interruptions from light pollution. Ancient Egypts Fantastic and Weird History, Egyptian Women Protesters Forced to Take Virginity Tests, Enormous Statue of Powerful Pharaoh Unearthed, Meet My Daughter Facebook: How One Egyptian Father Is Commemorating the Part the Social Network Played in Revolution, Female Circumcision Focus of Ferocious Debate in Egypt, Angelina Jolie Goes Greek as Cleopatra but Some Dont Like It, 100 Interesting Facts That Will Amaze You. I admit, the latter is probably not one of the most surprising Egypt interesting facts. 31 Fun And Interesting Facts About Egypt - Tons Of Facts Egypt has the most Facebook users compared to any other country in the Middle East. Africa and Asia are both present in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The Nile divides the Egyptian desert plateau into two sections known as the Western Desert and the Eastern Desert. Source: National Geographic, Britannica, 16. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us. Because. when King Menes (also called Narmer) united the Upper and Lower Kingdoms. 2) The afterlife was incredibly important to the Egyptians. These animals were a popular target for sport hunters in ancient Egypt and historical records indicate that the Pharaoh also enjoyed this pastime. Having so many people in such a small area causes overcrowding everywhere, from schools and hospitals to apartment buildings and public transport. Much of what people know about Egypt is as a result of hieroglyphic writing found in archeological sites. The UNESCO-listed city of Thebes was the capital of Egypt during much of Ancient Egypt. Not only were animals worshipped in Ancient Egypt, but they were also trained to do many things. The highest mountaintop in Egypt is Mt. Yikes! . Your email address will not be published. North of, (Egypts capital city) is the sprawling, triangular. 2. Much of Egypt is Muslim, however, there are Christians and Jewish people living here. These cookies help us record anonymous data about how people are using our website. Nearly 10 million people choose to live in Cairo! 101 Interesting Egypt Facts and History | FactRetriever There are more than 9.7 million denizens in the city, and that's just based on 2019 figures. But this was incompatible with the true solar year which so to solve this, the Egyptians added five extra days to the year. Source: Britannica, 28. Compared to many other countries in the world, Egypt has a high literacy rate. 10 + Interesting Facts About Egypt - YouTube The meats that people eat are rabbit, goat, beef and lamb. The official language of Egypt is Arabic. The surprisingly eventually led to the fall of Mubarak and the first democratically elected president in Egypt, but also further instability, military intervention and fresh protests. Source: BBC News, The Guardian, 19. wow! The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the countrys north coast. It is the most populous country in North . Sphinxes are generally believed to have been built to guard tombs. We dont think much about where everyday items were invented, but youll likely be surprised to learn that toothpaste, pens, paper, keys and locks were invented in Egypt. The pyramids of Egypt are not only the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world, they are the only ones to survive today. The Egyptian mummies were found to contain traces of cocaine and nicotine. The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. It measures approximately 1,001,450 square miles, which is almost 10 times larger than South Korea. Broomall, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, 2003. The British wanted control of theSuez Canal, which linked the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and greatly shortened the sailing trip from Asia to Europe. 3) The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. If you thought board games were a fairly new invention, think again! The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. It has an area of 1,001,450 square km. They might look like simply triangular-shaped structures but theyre much more complicated! 6) The Egyptian alphabet contained more than 700 hieroglyphs! A popular tourist destination, the site is noted for its temples and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Source: UNESCO, 27. This is according to the reports released by the World health organization.. Egyptian hieroglyphs have over 700 symbols. The gold hawk is the symbol of the Prophet Muhammads tribe. Interesting Facts About Egypt That Most People Don't Know Fun Facts about Egypt for Kids. Fly swatters made from giraffe tails were a popular fashion item in ancient Egypt. Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Egypt. New York, NY: Checkmark Books, 2008. Ra, Osiris, Isis, Set, Horus, and Anubis are some of the most famous Egyptian gods. The year consisted of three seasons of 120 days each, plus an intercalary month of 5 epagomenal days treated as outside of the year proper. On 25th January 2011, Egypt erupted into what would come to be known as the Egyptian revolution, part of the wider Arab Spring regional movement. He was the head of a hawk and wears the crown of Egypt. Egypt has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Egypt is in the process of relocating its capital city 45km (28 miles) away from Cairo to a brand new purpose-built city. Has the head of an ibis, often with a moon crescent. About 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslim, which means they are followers of theIslam religion. The United States is 50th, with a life expectancy of 78.37 years. The ancient Egyptian calendar was a solar calendar with a 365-day year. Usually has the head of an unidentified animal. Accessed: April 18, 2011. The pyramid of Giza is among the seven wonders of both the ancient and the modern world. Worshipped like sacred deities, most homes had a cat and it was treated like royalty. 33. Bread was invented in Egypt around 8,000 BC. Egypt's lost city of Heracleion was discovered under the sea after 1200 years. Your email address will not be published. The Ancient Egyptian timeline is broken up into several different kingdoms and periods lasting almost 6000 years! Approximately 90% of Egyptians are Muslim (primarily Sunni), 9% are Coptic, and 1% is Christian. The world's oldest D20 dice was found in Egypt. Egypt is part of an area known as the Fertile Crescent, also known as the Cradle of Civilization. The population of Egypt was 94,798,827 according to a 2017 census. Trending 40 Interesting and Surprising Bolivia Facts . The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board. Cleopatra was not actually Egyptian. Well end this facts about Egypt list with a fun one! The formal name of Egypt is the Arab Republic of Egypt. Egypt experiences natural dangers such as droughts, dust and sand storms, flash floods, earthquakes, landslides and windstorms (known as khamsin). - Source: CIA World Fact Book 3. Following the construction of the Aswan high dam, the fertile silt settled in Lake Nasser. 10 Facts About Ancient Egypt | National Geographic Kids document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on September 19, 2021. These kings built huge pyramids, temples and other impressive monuments. The Ancient Egyptians believed that animals were incarnations of the gods so it was popular to keep animals as pets. The worlds oldest dress is from Egypt. It was used to predict when the Nile River would flood. The capital of Egypt is Cairo. Cairo's been an important asset to many different empires. 12. April 6, 2011. Yes, you read that correctly. Egypt is a country located in NorthAfricabordering Israel, Libya, Sudan and the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Source: Britannica, 2. The mummy - an eviscerated, dried and bandaged corpse - has become a defining Egyptian artefact. Its also a very old language and one of the first to ever be used. The Giza pyramids are just some of the oldest pyramids in the world. With a population estimated at more than 99 million, it is the most populous country in the Arab world, and the third-most populous nation in Africa. Here are 10 interesting facts about Egypt. These cookies are required to make our website work! Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. People in ancient Egypt believed in the afterlife. Located at Giza, the Pyramid of Khufu is the largest Pyramid in Egypt. Planning a trip to Egypt or just want to know more about the country? Government: Presidential republic. Unfortunately, the rich silt that normally fertilized the dry Egyptian land settled in Lake Nasser after the building of the dam, forcing farmers to use one million tons of artificial fertilizer every year. Interesting facts about Egypt 1. However, Isis was also the name of one of the most worshipped Egyptian gods. By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. Niger is the top on the list, with a birth expectancy rate of 7.6 children for every woman. Other foods served on the meal include beans, couscous, rice, and fruits. An Arab proverb captures the pyramids endurance: Man fears Time, yet Time fears the pyramids. The other six wonders are (1) the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, (2) the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, (3) the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, (4) the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, (5) the Colossus of Rhodes, and (6) the Lighthouse of Alexandria. . 9. Source: Britannica, CIA World Fact Book, 7. In fact, more than 1000 gods and goddesses were worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians. Want to learn more? The longest river in the world, the Nile, runs through Egypt. Source: BBC News1, BBC News2, 5. 10Modern Living: Pyramid Power. Times. 35 Facts About Mexico That Will Blow Your Mind, 29 Facts About Singapore That Will Blow Your Mind. Bordered partly by the Mediterranean and Red Sea, Egypt borders Africa and the Middle East, sitting between the Gaza Strip, Israel, Libya and Sudan. Hooked tools pulled the brain (which was always removed, along with the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart) through the. In an attempt to control the annual flooding of the Nile, one of the largest dams in the world was built in Egypt in 1971: Aswan High Dam. Source: Jorge Lscar/Flickr. 6. Egypt is the most visited country in Africa receiving over 13 million tourists a year. Source:UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 29. Read on to learn about the Egypt of today. 16. 40. The country's population is estimated to be 90% Muslim (primarily Sunni) and various Christian denominations make up the remaining 10%. Yup, it's just another one of those cool things about Egypt. 7. We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. The rest of Egypt is largely covered by the Sahara Desert. 16 Fun Facts about Egypt - Fact City Creator god, associated with fertility. Southern Egypt has deserts and low mountains . Without the Nile River, ancient Egyptians wouldnt have gotten much done! However, the country still has a long way to go to make that literacy rate equal among the sexes. With over 95.5 million inhabitants as of 2019, Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third-most populous in Africa. The fertility rate in Egypt is 2.97 children per woman, which is the 66th highest fertility rate in the world. 21-25 Ancient Egypt Facts. March 24, 2011. These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss. For this reason, Egyptian farmers annually use over a million tonnes of artificial fertilizer. Not for lack of choice but because Egypt has, If youre looking for a few Egypt travel tips, youve come to the right place! While most of the photos we see of Pharaohs show them sporting beards, the reality is they preferred a clean-shaven face. Ancient Egypt facts for kids. Bordered partly by the Mediterranean and Red Sea, Egypt borders Africa and the Middle East, sitting between the Gaza Strip, Israel, Libya and Sudan. Egypt Facts for Kids | Egypt for Kids | Geography | Africa | Landmarks This puts strain on Egypts resources, since most people live in a narrow strip of land along the Nile River. Her full name is Facebook Jamal Ibrahim. In 1882, Britain took control of Egypt after defeating the Egyptian army before making Egypt a British protectorate in 1914. Unlike most other rivers, it flows south to north, it floods in the. It was the first calendar known to have a year of 365 days, nearly equal to the solar year. Fun Facts About The Ancient Egyptians - WorldAtlas The first pharaoh of Egypt is considered to be King Menes, who united the Upper and Lower Kingdoms in 3150 B.C. 13. In fact, Sudan has more ancient pyramids than Egypt. While images of big cities, such as Cairo and Alexandria, likely come to mind thinking of the landscape of Egypt, the reality is there are many wide-open spaces consisting of deserts, mountains, shorelines and wetlands that are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Although born in Alexandria, she was of Greek lineage. That's because the Egyptian hieroglyphs don't include any vowels. A priest often wore the jackal-headed mask of the, The Copts are the largest Christian community in Egypt and in the Middle East. 10. Facts about Egypt for Kids - vedantu.com Home Destinations Africa Egypt 35 Fun and Interesting Facts About Egypt. Started in 1996, Egypt's Royal library of Alexandria has copies of all the web pages on the internet. The ancient Egyptians invented the 365-day calendar. Near Tuna el-Gebel on the edge of Egypts Western Desert, scientists have unearthed more than four million. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C. That's it! Outdoor cafe in Cairo, Egypt: Jackmalipan, Dreamstime. 1. 02 It also had an estimated population of 5 million people. Egypt Facts for Kids | GoStudent | GoStudent Egyptians used the name Aset (alternatively spelled as Ast, Iset or Uset.) The official language is Modern Standard Arabic. 2. As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too! 50 Interesting Facts about Mummies | FactRetriever 30. Egypt (along with other countries in the region) has gone to war with Israel several times since 1948 in what has become known as the Arab-Israeli wars. 40 Interesting Facts about Egypt - Serious Facts Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. 15 Cool Facts About Titan Moon. Dating back to the early 1500s, the Egyptian Sufi Dance, or Tanoura, is a historic religious ritual with roots in the Ottoman Empire. Cairo, which also has the greatest population, is the country's . The Egyptians also draw many traditions from their religion (Islam). 9) Love playing board games with your pals? The second fact is that the Orthodox Christians in Egypt start to fast for a period of 43 days starting from the 25th of Nov before celebrating christ's birth on the 7th of Jan. Today, Egypt thrives on tourism with millions of visitors every year who come for the history, the cultural experiences and the world-class attractions. 20. The three pyramids of Giza are guarded by a giant sphinx thought to be the representation of the son of Khufu, pharaoh Chephren (Khafre). The ancient Egyptians invented the calendar that we use today which has 365 days. The Egyptian polymath Imhotep (the one who comes in peace) is known as the first physician, the first engineer, and the first architect. One of the strangest jobs of any animal in those times was that of the baboons. Some of the earliest known civilizations were located in Egypt. The population of Egypt is over 95 million people. The first pyramid built is considered to be the pyramid of Djoser, built about 2600 BC, while the most famous is the pyramid of Cheops (see interesting facts about the pyramid of Cheops). Egypt is the 30th largest country in the world by area. Youve likely seen depictions of Pharaohs in books or on television, but have you ever wondered what the significance of the Cobra on their crown is? Other common calamities in Egypt include Sandstorms, duststorms, and windstorms, also known as Khamsin. Ancient Egypt. of large animals like elephants, hippos, leopards and cheetahs. One Female Pharaoh Wore a Fake Beard Hatshepsut was an Egyptian pharaoh. Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age. Bookmark them for later and watch this selection of 10 Egypt facts first: This post is part of a series of fun facts posts I'm doing for every country I have articles about here on the blog. 40 Interesting Facts About Kenya. Visitors are expected to take off their shoes before going into religious buildings. The Nile is the second-longest river on earth, running 4,100 miles from Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea. For example, during the Old Kingdom (2650-2134 B.C. 10 weird facts about ancient Egyptians that will surprise you. Change region, COUNTRY*AustraliaIrelandNew ZealandUnited KingdomOther. By day, The White Desert National Park is a beautiful desert landscape far from the crowds of any city. Love ancient history? 2. 25 Facts About ANCIENT EGYPT | 25 FACTS - YouTube They Were One Of The First Civilizations To Read And Write Credit: Shutterstock image by matrioshka Along with the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to invent reading and writing. Tutankhamun Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh. An Egyptian father named his newborn daughter Facebook to commemorate the role Facebook played in the 2011 Egyptian revolution. 34. It doesn't matter if they're historical Egypt facts or modern Egypt facts. Pharaoh Pepi II allegedly would smear naked slaves with honey to attract, The shape of ancient Egyptian pyramids is thought to have been inspired by the spreading rays of the, The Egyptian flag is similar to the flags of. 44. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. The British stayed until Egypt declared independence in 1952. Although I didnt find this one fun 91% of Egyptian women aged between 15 and 49 years have undergone female genital mutilation. Egypt was ruled by a Macedonian dynasty until 31 BC and then by the ensuing Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman empires. Since the early 1800s, cotton has been famously harvested in Egypt and what a fine cotton it is! When this happens, floods cover the rivers valleys, leaving sediments needed for trees, plants and crops to grow.Egypt is often divided into two sections Upper Egyptin the south andLower Egyptin the north. , all of Egypt would be desert. Ramses II was publicly unwrapped in June 1886 in just 15 minutes. The quality that ancient Egyptians valued most was called, Before an ancient Egyptian scribe wrote anything, he always poured out some water mixed with ink as an offering to the, Just 150 years ago, Americans and Europeans believed that, The word pharaoh began as a nickname for the Egyptian king. Oil, Cotton and food products are the Egyptians largest exports. Cairo, the city with the largest population in Egypt is also its capital. Meet My Daughter Facebook: How One Egyptian Father Is Commemorating the Part the Social Network Played in Revolution. Daily Mail. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In ancient Egypt, concrete, high-heeled shoes, scallops, soap and even tooth powder were invented. Interesting and professional blog, which was also very informative:) I learned a lot of new things about Egypt that I never knew before! All rights reserved. Even the countrys geographical position is unique as it straddles the continents of Africa and Asia. Sydney, Australia: Weldon Russell Pty Ltd, 1993. Trending 40 Interesting and Surprising Nigeria Facts . He became king when he was just six years old. Source: Guinness World Records, 11. The British wanted control of the. Sometimes the water in the Nile River was too dirty to drink safely. 1. Geb, the Goddess of the Earth. 10. Population: 100.4 million. We might look at Ancient Egypt as a quick snapshot in time King Tut only ruled for 10 years, after all. Egypt is a transcontinental country that spans the southwest corner of Asia and the northeast corner of Africa by means of a land bridge that is formed by the Sinai Peninsula.