Egypt

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. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. Arab conquerors introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and ruled for the next six centuries. The Mamluks, a local military caste, took control around 1250 and continued to govern after the Ottoman Turks conquered Egypt in 1517.<br><br>Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but the country's nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Egypt gained partial independence from the UK in 1922 and full sovereignty in 1952. British forces evacuated the Suez Canal Zone in 1956. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals. <br><br>Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster in 2011. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed MORSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MORSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MORSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and then elected former defense minister Abdel Fattah EL-SISI president. EL-SISI was reelected to a second four-year term in 2018 and a third term in December 2023.

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

27 00 N, 30 00 E

Africa

more than eight times the size of Ohio; slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico

2,450 km

desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc

36,500 sq km (2012)

An Nīl (Nile) river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km<br><br><strong>note:</strong> [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Nubian Aquifer System

approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km (12 mi) of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited, as shown in this population distribution map

periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorms called khamsin occur in spring; dust storms; sandstorms

controls Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.)

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10%

1.4% (2025 est.)

18.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

4.33 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km (12 mi) of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited, as shown in this population distribution map

22.183 million CAIRO (capital), 5.588 million Alexandria, 778,000 Bur Sa'id (2023)

22.6 years (2014 est.)

17 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

2.53 children born/woman (2025 est.)

1.23 (2025 est.)

0.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

32% (2016)

3.7% (2021 est.)

65.6% (2021 est.)

rapid growth in population straining natural resources; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution in coastal ecosystems; water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile

desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

66.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

57.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

presidential republic

27 governorates (<em>muhafazat</em>, singular - <em>muhafazat</em>); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Uqsur (Luxor), Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj

mixed system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws; Supreme Constitutional Court reviews laws

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Al-Nour<br>Arab Democratic Nasserist Party<br>Congress Party<br>Conservative Party<br>Democratic Peace Party<br>Egyptian National Movement Party<br>Egyptian Social Democratic Party<br>El Ghad Party<br>El Serh El Masry el Hor<br>Eradet Geel Party<br>Free Egyptians Party<br>Freedom Party<br>Justice Party<br>Homeland’s Protector Party<br>Modern Egypt Party<br>My Homeland Egypt Party<br>Nation's Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan)<br>National Progressive Unionist (Tagammu) Party<br>Reform and Development Party<br>Republican People’s Party<br>Revolutionary Guards Party<br>Wafd Party

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BRICS, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CD, CICA, COMESA, D-8, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, LCBC (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

28 February 1922 (from UK protectorate status; the military-led revolution that began on 23 July 1952 led to a republic being declared on 18 June 1953 and all British troops withdrawn on 18 June 1956)

Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)

<strong>description:</strong> three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; centered in the white band is the national emblem, a gold Eagle of Saladin; it faces the left side, with a shield on its chest, above a scroll with the country's name in Arabic<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black) overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)

golden eagle, white lotus

red, white, black

adopted in 1984, the coat of arms features the national symbol, the Eagle of Saladin; the eagle holds a golden scroll with the name of the country, &ldquo;Gumhuriyet Miṣr al-ʿArabiyyah&rdquo; (Arab Republic of Egypt), in Arabic script; the shield on the eagle&rsquo;s chest shows the national colors of red, white, and black

Africa&rsquo;s second-largest economy; 2030 Vision to diversify markets and energy infrastructure; improving fiscal, external, and current accounts; underperforming private sector; poor labor force participation; expanded credit access

$389.06 billion (2024 est.)

sugarcane, sugar beets, wheat, maize, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, milk, onions, oranges (2023)

textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures

-1.9% (2024 est.)

33.749 million (2024 est.)

29.7% (2019 est.)

12.5% (of GDP) (2015 est.)

Saudi Arabia 10%, Turkey 9%, Italy 6%, USA 5%, UAE 5% (2023)

refined petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers, garments, crude petroleum (2023)

China 16%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Russia 6%, USA 6%, Germany 5% (2023)

refined petroleum, wheat, plastics, natural gas, packaged medicine (2023)

mix of state-run and private broadcast media; state-run TV operates 2 national and 6 regional terrestrial networks, as well as a few satellite channels; dozens of private satellite channels and a large number of Arabic satellite channels are available for free; some limited satellite services are also available via subscription; state-run radio operates about 30 stations belonging to 8 networks; privately-owned radio includes 8 major stations (2019)

.eg

SU

73 (2025)

60 (2025)

Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF): Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Border Guard Forces<br><br>Interior Ministry: Public Security Sector Police, the Central Security Force, National Security Agency (2025)

estimated 450,000 active Armed Forces (2025)

the EAF's inventory is comprised of a mix of domestically produced, Soviet-era, and more modern, typically Western, weapons systems; in recent years, the EAF has embarked on an equipment modernization program with purchases from foreign suppliers, including China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, UAE, the UK, and the US; Egypt's defense industry produces a range of products from small arms to armored vehicles and naval vessels; it also has licensed and co-production agreements with several countries, including Germany and the US (2025)

voluntary enlistment possible from age 16 for men and 17 for women; 18-30 years of age for compulsory service for men; service obligation 14-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; active service length depends on education; high school drop-outs serve for the full 36 months, while college graduates serve for lesser periods of time, depending on their education level (2025)

775 (plus nearly 200 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,100 Somalia (AUSSOM); also has about 200 police deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo under MONUSCO (2025)

the Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF) are responsible for external defense but also have an internal role assisting police and paramilitary security forces during emergencies and in anti-terrorism operations; the EAF also participates in foreign peacekeeping and other security missions, as well as both bilateral and multinational exercises; the military has considerable political power and independence; it has long had a crucial role in Egypt’s politics and has a large stake in the civilian economy, including running banks, businesses, gas stations, shipping lines, and utilities, and producing consumer and industrial goods, importing commodities, and building and managing infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, hospitals, and housing<br><br>key areas of concern for the EAF include Islamist militant groups operating out of the Sinai Peninsula, regional challenges such as ongoing conflicts and instability, and maritime security; since 2011, the EAF has been conducting operations alongside other security forces in the North Sinai governorate against several militant groups, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); over the past decade, it has deployed additional units along the border with Libya, provided air support to the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen, and most recently boosted its presence on the border with Gaza in response to the HAMAS-Israel conflict; the Navy in recent years has sought to modernize and expand its capabilities and profile in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, including the acquisition of helicopter carriers, modern frigates, and attack submarines, as well as the establishment of a joint service military base on the Red Sea<br><br>the Multinational Force &amp; Observers (MFO) has operated in the Sinai since 1982 as a peacekeeping and monitoring force to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace; the MFO is an independent international organization, created by agreement between Egypt and Israel; it has about 1,150 troops from 13 countries; Colombia, Fiji, and the US are the leading providers of troops to the MFO (2025)

Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA; established 2019); National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Science (NARSS; formed in 1994 from the Remote Sensing Center, which was established in 1971) (2025)

has a growing space program and seeks to become a regional space power; operates satellites; builds satellites jointly with foreign partners but developing localized satellite manufacturing and support infrastructure; acquiring other space-related technologies through transfers and domestic development, including in communications, Earth imaging/remote sensing (RS), and satellite payloads and components; works with a variety of foreign governments and commercial space companies, including those of Belarus, Canada, China, the ESA and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy), Ghana, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, the UAE, and the US; also a member of the Arab Space Coordination Group; has an active commercial space sector (2025)

1960 - initiated a space program<br><br>1998 - first communications satellite (NileSat-101) built in Europe and launched on a European rocket (first African country to have its own communications satellite)<br><br>2007 - first remote sensing (RS) satellite (Egypsat-1) built and launched by Russia<br><br>2019 - first domestically produced RS cube satellites (NARSSCube-1 and 2) released from International Space Station; signed agreement with China for construction of satellite assembly, integrating, and testing facilities<br><br>2020 - announced a 10-year national space program, including initiating an astronaut training program and jointly developing with several African countries an RS satellite for monitoring climate changes<br><br>2022 - inaugurated a “space city” containing a satellite manufacturing facility, a research center, a space academy, and the headquarters of the African Space Agency (AfSA; inaugurated 2025); latest NileSat-series (NileSat-301) communications satellite acquired from Europe and launched by the US<br><br>2023 - three RS satellites (Horus-1, Horus-2, and MisrSat-2) built jointly with and launched by China; joined the China-led International Lunar Research Station project<br><br>2024 - experimental RS satellite (Nexsat-1) jointly developed with a European commercial company and launched by China

Army of Islam; Harakat Sawa'd Misr (HASM); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Sinai Province (ISIS-SP); al-Qa’ida