The land of pharaohs, intriguing legends, ancient civilizations and amazing temples, Egypt is one of the world’s greatest and most captivating countries.

Egypt enjoys a strategic location in North Africa close to the Middle East. Officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, it borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the east via the Sinai Peninsula and a land bridge that crosses the Suez Canal. It is, however, far from landlocked. Its north coast is lapped by the Mediterranean, while its lower east coast and south Sinai lie alongside the Red Sea.

The country has long played an important role in connecting Africa with Asia, and the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean, and as such has been at the centre of the world’s political and economical arena for centuries. It is a vast country, totalling well over million square kilometres. That’s four times the size of the United Kingdom and twice the size of France, and yet most of its cities like Cairo, Aswan, Asyut and Luxor hug the shores of the Nile Valley. Even Alexandria, the country’s second largest city after Cairo, is in the Nile Delta.

Egypt has four distinct areas. The Nile Delta, itself, is a stretch of land that fans out north from a point close to Cairo where the Nile splits into smaller flows of water, reaching a stretch of coastline that runs from Alexandria to Port Said. At the coast the waters of the Nile flow into the Mediterranean. Along the coastline are the towns and cities of El Alamein, famed for its Second World War battles and museums, along with Marsa Matruh and Sallum to the west of Alexandria, while to its east is the historic Rosetta, where the Rosetta Stone, an important artefact that was key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing, was discovered. Further along the coast is Damietta and Port Said.

The Nile Valley stretches from the delta to Egypt’s southernmost border with Sudan, and along with its great cities is home to some of the world’s most iconic symbols of ancient civilizations. It is here visitors can see the three Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx that ‘guards’ them, the fabulous Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temples in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and, of course, the Nile River itself. The Sahara Desert, the world’s second largest, makes up much of Egypt’s distinct desert and oasis areas, which are fascinating if sparsely inhabited, while the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea coastline and resorts are the country’s top spots for family fun and water sport themed holidays.

A fabulously rich history and achievements sit comfortably with the Egypt of today. Deserts that stretch for kilometres into the distance and holiday resorts with top notch hotels offering family fun such as swimming and diving in the Red Sea contrast well with the Nile Delta and the Nile Valley that leave you breathless at their bustling cities and ancient temples. Visitors arrive in their thousands, are totally captivated and return time after time. Whether it’s a view of the sun going down behind the centuries-old pyramids, turning the sky to a magical bright orange, or seeing the mesmerising sun- scorched Sphinx, the priceless treasures contained tantalisingly behind glass in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum or standing in awe of the fabulous temples the sights of the world’s most entrancing country stay with visitors for a lifetime.

Add to this experiences of seeing one of Egypt’s most trusted residents, the camel, make its way casually across the sands, perhaps dressed in brightly coloured rugs and tassels for a festival, street vendors selling their goods in the bustling souks, children playing in the streets, craftspeople weaving carpets or locals mingling in an animated fashion around the streets, all of which sit well with innovative new commercial buildings, and you have a country that will become part of your soul.

Egypt is a religious country. Islam is the official religion and most Egyptians are Muslim, although over 12 million are Christians. The atmosphere is one of friendship. Egyptians like to work hard and live life to the full, and tend to work in the heart of the cities which have seen many changes in recent years and are now at the forefront of world politics, or working the agricultural lands of the Nile Valley or in tourism. Everyone can enjoy lively cultural experiences too - everything from the latest art sensations to music, theatre and dance.

Egypt is a warm country for most of the year. Some days in summer the temperatures can reach 25-35C (95F) in Cairo, and so the way Egyptians live tends to reflect this as it has done for centuries. The pace of life is generally slow, and although city centres often appear bustling it isn’t long before everyone gives in and finds a cool place to rest awhile.

It has been occupied by the Persians, Romans, the Greeks, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, British and the French, but it is probably the pharaohs that have left the most mesmerising legacy on the country and one which makes tourism one of the country’s leading industry sectors today.

Who cannot be captivated by the story of Tutankhamen, the young boy who became king in 1333 BC, becoming the Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, and whose solid gold death mask is probably the most famous artefact ever found in Egypt. Or the beautiful Nefertiti, the wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaton, who might have ruled in her own right before Tutankhamun became king. Both-from many-make Egypt legendary.

Today, Egypt is one of the key political and cultural leaders in the Middle East. It has a buoyant economy as a result of economic reforms and foreign investment and a rapidly evolving high technology communications sector. Its government continues to pledge investment into its infrastructure of highways, railways and waterways that stretch from the north coast and the Nile Delta to the southern points of the Nile Valley at Aswan and Abu Simbel, into the Western Desert and across to the Red Sea coast and into Sinai.

Egypt also has one of the highest populations of all the countries in this part of the world with around 75.5 million people. Many live in the densely populated cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, where they are engaged in commerce, politics, retailing and tourism, while others live in rural areas near the banks of the Nile River and are engaged in agriculture. The rich soil of the banks provides the most arable agricultural land in Egypt today as it has done for around 10,000 years. It is on this land that man has relied on since ancient times. Without the river the country would likely only ever have been desert. Much of Egypt’s national income relies on agriculture, along with tourism, petroleum exports and capital generated by traffic using the Suez Canal.

Far fewer people live in areas like the Sahara Desert, which although massive is unsympathetic to human needs, while Sinai and the Red Sea coastal areas have strong population figures, especially in the major towns which have good general infrastructures and amenities. There are healthcare facilities, shops, restaurants, many sports centres, especially those for water sports, and top hotels. The population in these areas is bolstered by the many visitors who arrive during the summer months on leisure, sea & land adventures, spa and wellness holidays, golf lovers, and short breaks.

Egyptian society is geared very much around the family, and it is not uncommon to see all generations dining together or on an outing. Religion is important, with Muslims and Christians living and working together in harmony. As a visitor, you will always be made to feel welcome and protected.