Egypt

Introduction

Egypt (Arab Republic of Egypt) is a country in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula. Area: 385,229 sq mi (997,739 sq km). Population (July 2007 est.): 80,335,036. Capital: Cairo. Language: Arabic (official). Religions: Islam (official; predominantly Sunni). Egypt has a rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile, which all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. -- CIA World Fact Book "Egypt"