Misr is an Arabic word meaning “country” or “land”. It is also the name of a country in North Africa, commonly known as Egypt. The official name of the country is The Arab Republic of Egypt.
Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, and the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east. With an area of 1,001,450 square kilometers (386,662 mi), Egypt is one of the largest countries in Africa and the Middle East. The land area includes desert areas such as Sinai Peninsula and Western Desert. As a result of its location and climate, Egypt has been home to some of humanity’s earliest civilizations including Ancient Egyptians who carved out one of history’s earliest codified legal systems in Ma’at; one of world’s first cities with Memphis; Alexandria which became a leading center of Hellenistic civilization; Cairo which was established by Arabs in AD 969 as capital city that would become Mamluk Sultanate (1250-1517) then Ottoman Empire (1517-1917) until modern times.
Over 90% of Egyptians live within 30 kilometers (20 mi)of the Nile River which flows north through Egyptian territory from Sudan into Mediterranean Sea. Lake Nasser (artificial lake created as a result of construction High Dam on Nile river between 1958-1970), located in southern Egypt near Sudan border is another significant water resource but it provides only 5% country’s water needs due to high evaporation rate caused by hot weather conditions. Almost all rainfall occurs during period June through September with very little occurring rest year round especially in Western Desert where annual precipitation may be zero..
The vast majority Egyptian Sunni Muslims who follow Malikite jurisprudence although there significant Shia minority well as small number Coptic Christians practice their respective faiths peacefully side by side throughout country without any sectarian violence for many centuries now despite recent political turmoil since early 2011 known Arab Spring uprising which ousted President Hosni Mubarak after thirty years rule then Mohamed Morsi after one year his election before current military government took power following 2013 coup d’état..
Tourism is major contributor Egypt’s economy accounting 11% GDP total $270 billion USD 2016 according latest World Bank data released April 2017 though this still down from pre-2011 levels 13% GDP 2009 just before start Arab Spring.. Visitors flocked see iconic Pyramids Giza Plateau last surviving Wonder Seven Ancient World well Sphinx nearby ancient Memphis site along banks Nile River Valley home Valley Kings pharaohs who ruled over three millennia beginning around 3000 BCE up Roman conquest 30 BCE followed seven centuries Byzantine rule until Arabs conquered 640 CE making Islam dominant religion today… In addition popular tourist attractions Luxor Karnak Temples located across river Nile Luxor well Abu Simbel temples situated further south close border Sudan..
Historical sites like these attract millions visitors every year but so do other natural attractions such Red Sea resorts Hurghada Sharm el Sheikh beautiful Sinai Peninsula Saint Catherine’s Monastery Mount Sinai rugged coastline dotted lighthouses accessible only boat trip away from mainland… With sizzling summer temperatures exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) average highs July August most tourists prefer escape heat come winter when milder weather makes outdoor activities more pleasant… December January typically coldest months when snowfall sometimes occurs atop mountain peaks Sinai but rarely lasts long on ground given warm sunshine quickly melts it away…