Egypt

=Egypt=


 * [[image:Egypt_flag.gif caption="This is the Egyptian flag. The gold eagle of Saladin is the national emblem. The design is based on the Arab Liberation flag. "]] ||


 * [[image:eg-map.gif caption="The map of Egypt. The capital city of Egypt is Cairo. Egypt borders the Mediterranean Sea and is located between Libya, and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan."]] ||


 * __ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE NATION__**

Egypt is in the Middle East, located in the northeastern corner of Africa. It is 1,001,450 square km.
 * Geographic Orientation**

Neighbouring nations include Libya, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.
 * Neighbouring Nations**

The population is 83,082,869 people established since July 2009.
 * Population**

The total population is 71.4%. Males are 83% and females are 59.4%.
 * Literacy Rate**

The official language in Egypt is Arabic, but English and French are understood by educated classes.
 * Official Languages**

The type of government is Republic. It is divided into 26 governorates. The president is Hosni Mubarak and the Prime Minister is Ahmed Nazif. The legislative branch has the People's Assembly, which seats 454, and the Shura Council, which seats 264.
 * Type of Government**

Some Egyptians are employed in agricultural pursuits. The main industries include food processing, chemicals, cement, petroleum, and metals. Egypt has lowered inflation and improved the climate. Economic activity takes place at the Nile River. Prime Minister, Ahmed Nazif's government reduced tax rates, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized several enterprises. The stock market boomed, but living standards for average Egyptians was still difficult.
 * Type of Economic System**

Ethnic groups include mostly Egyptians. Egyptians like having a relaxed and patient life. They are expressive, emotional, and love jokes, riddles, and sarcasm. Greetings are warm in the Egyptian culture. Friends of the same sex would shake hands and kiss on both cheeks. Close members greet each other by kissing each other on the cheek, regardless of the sex. Friends of the same sex can walk close to each other, but men and women are not allowed to walk together arm in arm unless they are married or engaged. Visiting is an important pastime in the Egyptian culture. Married children visit their parents on Fridays and holidays. Gifts are common to bring to a guest's house.
 * Races/Cultures of People**

90% of people living in Egypt are Muslim (Sunni). 9% are Coptic and 1% is Christian.
 * Religions**

Important natural resources are oil, lead, natural gas, and other minerals. The Suez Canal is an important source for these natural resources.
 * Natural Resources**

Major exports are oil and petroleum, cotton, textiles, metals, chemicals. Major imports are equipment and machinery, food, fuels, wood products, and chemicals.
 * Main Exports/Main Imports**

Export partners include the U.S., Italy, Spain, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the UK. Import partners include the U.S., Italy, China, Russia, Germany, Saudi Arabia.
 * Major Trading Partners**


 * __HISTORICAL TIMELINE IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY__**
 * 1914** - Egypt became a protectorate of Britain.


 * 1922** - Egypt became an independent sovereign state on February 28, 1922.


 * 1936** - By an Anglo-Egyptian treaty of alliance, all British troops and officials were to be withdrawn.


 * 1949** - Committee of the Free Officers' Movement formed.


 * 1953** - Egypt is declared a Republic by Najib in June.


 * 1954** - Evacuation Treaty signed. British forces finally leave Egypt.


 * 1956** - The U.S. and Britain withdrew their pledges of financial aid for the building of the Aswan High Dam.


 * 1971** - Treaty of Friendship between Egypt and the Soviet Union is signed.

- New constitution is introduced and the country is renamed the Arab Republic of Egypt.


 * 1975** - The Suez Canal is re-opened in June 1975.


 * 1979** - Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt is signed.


 * 1981** - A National Referendum approves Husni Mubarak as the new president.


 * 1995** - In June, Mubarak is the target of an assassination attempt in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Leadership** The leader of Egypt at present is Hosni Mubarak, who is the president and chief of state. He held command positions in the air force and the President of 1972, Anwar el-Sadat appointed Mubarak chief commander of the air force. In April 1975 Sadat made Mubarak vice president. Throughout the years, he was active in the negotiations involving Middle Eastern and Arab policy. He served as the chief mediator in the dispute between Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania over the future of Western ( Spanish ) Sahara. Mubarak later became president after Sadat's assassination on October 6, 1981. He improved Egypt's relations with other Arab countries and reaffirmed Egypt's Peace Treaty with Israel.
 * __THE NATION AT PRESENT__



Three current problems/issues that are happening in Egypt are: - President Obama addressing the Muslims in Egypt - Cairo Bazaar Bombing three months ago - Swine flu cases appear in Egypt  President Obama is going to Egypt to rebuild relations with the Muslim and Arab world. There is no problem with that, but the problem before was that the U.S. did not have good partnership with the Muslim world. About the Cairo Bazaar Bombing 3 months ago, the problem was that members of an alleged Al-Qaeda-affiliated cell killed a teenage French tourist. However, seven members of that group was arrested. The cell had also planned on organizing terrorist operations in and outside of Egypt. Lastly, swine flu cases have been appearing in Egypt. The source of this problem comes from Kuwait, where about 18 U.S. soldiers have been tested positive for the swine flu.
 * Current Issues**

The international community responded to the problem about the Muslim world by allowing President Obama to visit Egypt and severe ties with the Muslims. For the problem regarding the Cairo Bazaar Bombing, it has been somewhat taken care of. Seven members of the cell were arrested and police are still on the hunt to arrest the rest of them. There are many members in the cell, which is why it is harder to resolve the problem. Lastly, the swine flu problem cannot yet responded to, however treatment has started and medical samples have been sent to Cairo laboratories for testing.

Egypt's allies are Israel, Libya, and Syria. Egypt's international reputation is not very positive and the economy is not doing too well either. The image Egypt conveys to the rest of the world is that they are an independent nation now and they are very rich in natural resources, therefore trading is a huge deal in Egypt.
 * Foreign Relations**