Islamic countries

Islamic countries

ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
JUMHURIYAT MISR AL-ARABIYAH

General Information

Total Land Area:	997,239 km²
Land boundaries:	2,689 km
Coastline:	2,450 km
Capital:	Cairo
Other Large Cities:	Alexandria, Al-Jizah, Port Said
Official Language:	Arabic
National Currency Unit:	Egyptian Pound (EGP)
National Day:	July 23

Location and Geography

Egypt is located at the North-east corner of Africa and the South-west corner of Asia. It is bordered by Libya and Sudan in the West and South respectively, the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Suez, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Red Sea. Most of the country is part of the band of desert stretching from the Atlantic coast of Africa to the Middle East. Its unusual geological history has produced four major regions: the Nile River, the Western Desert, the Eastern Desert, and the Sinai Peninsula. Arable land is limited. The River Nile is the main resource of the country serving as waterway and source of irrigation. The climate is uniformly arid with hot dry summers and moderate winters. Rainfall occurs mostly in winter.

Demography

Population:	67.30 million (2002)
Crude Birth Rate:	26 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	6 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	33 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 72 years, Female: 68 years (2002)
Urban Population:	43.0 percent (2002)
Adult Literacy:	56.00 percent (2001)

Economy

Egypt’s main agricultural products are cotton, rice, corn, wheat and beans. Husbandry (cattle, sheep) and fishing are also important activities. Egypt is one of the major producers of high-quality, long-staple cotton. Its natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead and zinc. The development of the hydrocarbon industry has a major impact on the economy. Natural gas production has been increasing in recent years. Domestic industry ranges from food processing, textiles, vehicle assembly, to aluminium and steel processing. Transportation and tourism also play a major role.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	84111 million US$ (2002)
Per Capita GDP:	1250 US$ (2002)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	17.0% Agriculture, 33.0% Industry, 50.0% Services, (2002)
Total Exports:	6985 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	18512 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton and textiles
Major Imports Items:	Food and live animals, machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods
Major Trading Partners:	US, Italy, UK, Germany and France