Geography

Area: 1,001,450 sq. km. (386,000 sq. mi.); approximately equal to Texas and New
Mexico combined.

Cities: Capital--Cairo (pop. estimated at 16 million).
Other cities--Alexandria (6 million), Aswan, Asyut, Port Said, Suez,
Ismailia.


Terrain: Desert, except Nile valley and delta.

Climate: Dry, hot summers; moderate winters.



People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Egyptian(s).

Population (July 2007 est.): 80,335,036.

Annual population growth rate (2007 est.): 1.72%.

Ethnic groups: Egyptian, Bedouin Arab, Nubian.

Religions: Muslim 90%, Coptic Christian 9%, other Christian 1%.

Languages: Arabic (official), English, French.

Education: Years compulsory--ages 6-15. Literacy--total
adult 58%.

Health: Infant mortality rate (2006 est.)--31.33 deaths/1,000 live
births. Life expectancy (2006 est.)--71 years.



Government

Type: Republic.

Independence: 1922.

Constitution: 1971.

Branches: Executive--president, prime minister, cabinet.
Legislative--People's Assembly (444 elected and 10 presidentially appointed
members; an additional 64 seats for women were created in 2009), and Shura
(consultative) Council (176 elected members, 88 presidentially appointed).
Judicial--Supreme Constitutional Court.

Administrative subdivisions: 29 governorates.

Principal political parties: National Democratic Party (ruling).
Principal opposition parties--New Wafd Party, Al Ghad Party, Democratic
Front Party, National Progressive Unionist Grouping (Tagammau), and Nasserite
Party.

Suffrage: Universal at 18.



Economy

GDP (FY 2009 est.): $188 billion.

Annual growth rate (FY 2009 est.): 4.7%.

Per capita GDP (PPP, FY 2009 est.): $5,650.

Natural resources: Petroleum and natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese,
limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc.

Agriculture: Products--cotton, rice, onions, beans, citrus fruits,
wheat, corn, barley, sugar.

Industry: Types--food processing, textiles, chemicals,
petrochemicals, construction, light manufacturing, iron and steel products,
aluminum, cement, military equipment.

Trade (FY 2009): Exports--$25.2 billion: petroleum, clothing and
textiles, cotton, fruits and vegetables, manufactured goods. Major
markets--EU, U.S., Middle East. Imports--$50.3 billion: machinery and
transport equipment, petroleum products, livestock, food and beverages, paper
and wood products, chemicals. Major suppliers--EU, U.S., China.