Egypt is a transcontinental country linking north-east Africa with the Middle East via the Sinai Peninsula, with a 5,000-year recorded history along the Nile and the Pyramids of Giza as its enduring symbol.
Geography & landscape
Egypt sits in Northern Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 1,001,450 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Cairo, lies near coordinates 27°, 30°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Egypt.
People & society
The population of Egypt is around 112M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Arabic, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Egypt is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Cairo, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Cairo and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Egypt shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Egypt through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Cairo, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +20, and clocks are set to the EET (UTC+2) time zone. ISO standards identify Egypt as EG (alpha-2) and EGY (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇪🇬, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Cairo | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Northern Africa | — |
| Population | 112M | people |
| Area | 1,001,450 | km² |
| Currency | Egyptian Pound (EGP) | — |
| Calling code | +20 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | EG | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | EGY | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 27 | degrees |
| Longitude | 30 | degrees |
Did you know?
The Great Pyramid of Giza was the world's tallest man-made structure for nearly 3,800 years, until Lincoln Cathedral was completed in 1311.
