Accessed: April 24, 2011. Arabic and Egyptian Arabic are its official and national languages, respectively. Essential Facts Interesting Facts 01 Egypt dates back to the 3rd Millennium BC. 47. Although I didnt find this one fun 91% of Egyptian women aged between 15 and 49 years have undergone female genital mutilation. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. Did Cleopatra really die from a snake bite? Located on the northeast corner of Africa, Egypt is home to one of the world's earliest and greatest civilizations, with a unified kingdom first surfacing around 3,200 B.C. They learned to grow crops and raise animals, and they began to build villages and towns. The first signs of human activity date back to around 4,500 BCE. One of our favorite fun facts about Egypt for cat lovers! Monaco has the worlds highest life expectancy at 89.73 years old. Those beards they are often depicted in were fake and only worn for religious reasons. The life expectancy of males is approximately 70.07 years and 75.38 years for females. Egypt is known for their two major deserts, the Libyan and the Sahara desert. The library not only preserves the Egyptian history, but it's also one of the largest and most interesting libraries in Africa. Has the head of hawk, often with a sun disk on his head. They have won the Africa Cup of Nations tournament seven times, qualified for the FIFA World Cup three times and, in 1934, became the first team outside the Americas and Europe to participate in the World Cup. Source: Britannica1, Britannica2, FIFA (pdf), 17. The afterlife was extremely important to the Egyptians. The ancient Egyptians were considered extremely powerful in all aspects, including government, arts, writing and religion. These facts will help you appreciate why Egypt is a great place that is worth visiting. Often has the head of a hawk with a sun disk and two plumes on top. The average life expectancy is 72.66 years, with males living for about 70.07 years while the female range at 75.38 years. The Great Pyramid at Giza has vents pointing to the constellation of Orion so the mummys spirit could fly straight up to the gods. The ancient Egyptians worshipped more than 1,000 different gods and goddesses. Swaziland may be small, but it boasts an impressive array of adventure and culture. Nestled in the heart of bustling Cairo, you can step back in time and experience market life that has remained unchanged for eons. June 1, 2018 at 6:40 pm . The amount of income tax in Egypt is 25%. 42. The Nile is the second-longest river on earth, running 4,100 miles from Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea. These Arab forces ruled Egypt for several centuries and founded the modern capital, Cairo. This pyramid actually has 8 sides and not four as most people believe. Often has the hieroglyph of her name on her head. Cairo is the most populated city in Egypt and it's also the capital city. They believed in many gods. Usually has the head of an unidentified animal. OFFICIAL NAME: Arab Republic of EgyptFORM OF GOVERNMENT: RepublicCAPITAL: CairoPOPULATION:87, 562, 261OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: ArabicMONEY: Egyptian pound, guinayAREA: 1,001,449 square kilometresMAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Eastern HighlandsMAJOR RIVER: NileFLAG: Without theNile River, all of Egypt would be desert. The pictorial symbols were called hieroglyphs, which comes from a Greek word meaning sacred carving and could be written vertically, horizontally, left to right or right to left. Source: BBC Bitesize, 20. The embalmer who made the first cut in the flank during the mummification process was called the ripper. The Egyptians considered any cut an offense to the bodyso in a symbolic performance, the rest of the embalmers threw stones at the ripper and chased him away with curses. 5. To signify dignity and stay modest, Egyptian women keep their legs and arms covered. Ancient Egyptians believed they were made from clay on a potters wheel by the river. had the longest reign in history94 years. If the Great Pyramid were chopped into 12-inch cubes, there would be enough cubes to circle the, Early pharaohs were buried with their real servants. The mummy - an eviscerated, dried and bandaged corpse - has become a defining Egyptian artefact. Id al Fitr is one of the biggest celebrations in Egypt. For everyday use, Egyptians used a script called hieratic. In 700 B.C., a second script called demotic was used, of which a derivative is used by Coptic Christians today. General Editor. One of the best things to do in Egypt is enjoy a Nile River Cruise! and was the eldest daughter of Ptolemy XII (Auletes), the Pharaoh of Egypt. The United States is 124th with 2.06 children per woman. In ancient Egypt, concrete, high-heeled shoes, scallops, soap and even tooth powder were invented. Fun Facts About Egypt 1. You will receive our UK newsletter. The Egyptians also refer to their country as Misr, which can be used as a substitute name for Cairo. Frequently shown as a man dressed as a mummy. 16. They were thought to bring good luck. Table of Contents Egypt Facts Infographics The oldest pyramid is over 4600 years old. He became king when he was just six years old. Source: Guinness World Records, 11. Cairo, which also has the greatest population, is the country's . and took more than 20 years to build. The official language of Egypt is Arabic but don't worry, many people also speak English and if you know French, it will go a long way in Egypt as well. These animals were a popular target for sport hunters in ancient Egypt and historical records indicate that the Pharaoh also enjoyed this pastime. Unsplash. This ancient country, which is often referred to as one of the Cradles of Civilization, is an incredible contrast between old and new. They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores! 44. Cradles of Civilization: Egypt. 50 Interesting Facts about Mummies By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer Published December 20, 2017 In ancient Egyptian mummification, onions were sometimes used to fill body cavities, often serving as false eyes. With more than 120,000 ancient artifacts, The Egyptian Museum is a must on any trip to Cairo. If you were to unravel some of the bandages of some Egyptian mummies, the linen bandages would stretch for a mile bet this is one of those Egypt facts you didnt know! 12Remler, Pat. 19. There were three female pharaohs, of whom the greatest was Hatshepsut (reigned 1498-1483 B.C.). The life expectancy of Egyptians is approximately 72.66 years, which ranks 124th in the world. He had eight official wives and nearly 100 concubines. The pyramids of Egypt are not only the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world, they are the only ones to survive today. 4. The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. But this was incompatible with the true solar year which so to solve this, the Egyptians added five extra days to the year. Source: Britannica, 28. If you are traveling Egypt seeing this is must do! 40. Southern Egypts landscape contains low mountains and desert. They traded with their neighbours and learned to sail boats. The Sahara and Libyan Desert make up a large part of this country. The Greeks changed Hwt-ka-ptah to Aegyptus. The Egyptian bread is special for it is made of barley, corn, or rice. Will scientific evidence unearth an ancient secret? Egypt is largely covered by a desert, receiving only 20mm of rain per year. The age of the hieroglyphs is about 5 thousand years. What to Wear in Egypt Example Egypt Outfits, Onboard the Steam Ship Sudan The REAL Death on the Nile. He had over 90 children: approximately 56 boys and 44 girls. It was also called Deshret, or Red Land, which referred to Egypts vast deserts. The rivers total length is 6,695km (4,160 miles) and runs from as far away as Burundi and Lake Victoria in East Africa all the way to the Mediterranean in North Africa. Source:Guinness World Records, National Geographic, 14. Hieroglyphs were developed about 3,000 B.C. View of Mohammad Ali Mosque, Cairo, Egypt. The country's population is estimated to be 90% Muslim (primarily Sunni) and various Christian denominations make up the remaining 10%. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us. The UNESCO-listed Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) in Egypt is home to the fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, species of whale. It served a much different purpose in ancient times. Facts about Ancient Egypt 1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. 40. Egyptian Mythology A to Z. Source: BBC News, 22. According to estimates by the United Nations in 2019, Egypt was the 14th most populated country in the world. Approximately 99% of the population lives on about 5.5% of the land. Linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal is controlled by Egypt. Name: Arab Republic of Egypt. The official language is Modern Standard Arabic. We've got. 7. 33. Sun god. 55. Egypt is a country located in NorthAfricabordering Israel, Libya, Sudan and the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Source: Britannica, 2. 40 Facts About Egypt: For Kids, Fun Facts About Egypt, Sports, Nature, Food, Culture, Continent & More eBook : Publishing, Grant: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. 17. Measuring 146.7 meters in height, it's one of the oldest historic sites that remain largely intact. 18 Interesting Facts About Mushrooms. It is built from over two million blocks of limestone, each one weighing as much as two and a half, Ancient Egyptians believed that mummification ensured the deceased a safe passage to the afterlife. Interesting and professional blog, which was also very informative:) I learned a lot of new things about Egypt that I never knew before! They made these cosmetics from plants and minerals found in their natural environment. The ancient obelisk known as Cleopatras Needle has suffered more damage in the 125 years it has stood in. The famous Great Pyramid at Giza was built as a burial place for King Khufu (2589-2566 B.C.) Major televisions and radio broadcasting services in Egypt are controlled by the government. Most Egyptian traditions and festivals trace their origin back to the time of pharaohs. Started in 1996, Egypt's Royal library of Alexandria has copies of all the web pages on the internet. It was used to predict when the Nile River would flood. Source: UNESCO, 18. He was the head of a hawk and wears the crown of Egypt. Much of Egypt is Muslim, however, there are Christians and Jewish people living here. A lot of work went into building the great pyramids. Egyptians have always been close to the natural world. September 19, 2007. Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbolsby checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature. Here are some facts about Egypt. This fasting includes mainly vegan meals and excludes any meat, chicken, or dairy products, but this long period of fasting will lead to a very big and delicious meal . Hmmm that doesnt really fit the theme of the blog Im afraid :), really it does cause Egyptians had myths about gods and other thing so i think it would go with the theme and i think it would draw a lot of peoples attention to your blog, i know i would tell people about your blog if it had myths and a lot of people need to write essays about myths and if you dont want to do myths about Egyptians then do one about mayon volcano. Source: History Channel, 10. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and will receive emails from us about news, offers, activities and partner offers. Required fields are marked *. This is according to the reports released by the World health organization. 30 Facts About Greece That Will Blow Your Mind, 31 Facts About Austria That Will Blow Your Mind, 30 Ecuador Facts That Will Blow Your Mind, 31 Facts About Japan That Will Blow Your Mind, 30 Facts About Italy That Will Blow Your Mind, 34 Facts About Norway That Will Blow Your Mind, 37 Facts About Africa That Will Blow Your Mind, 30 Facts About Bali That Will Blow Your Mind, 34 Facts About Scotland That Will Blow Your Mind, 30 Facts About Ireland That Will Blow Your Mind, 33 Facts About Portugal That Will Blow Your Mind, 32 Facts About Switzerland That Will Blow Your Mind, 31 Facts About Jordan That Will Blow Your Mind, 30 Facts about Japanese Culture That Will Blow Your Mind, 34 Facts About Costa Rica That Will Blow Your Mind, 30 Facts About Peru That Will Blow Your Mind, 30 Facts About Tanzania That Will Blow Your Mind. Well end this facts about Egypt list with a fun one! The massive and modern capital city of Cairo is home to 10 million people but situated just beyond the bustling city streets are some of the ancient worlds most notable structures, The Great Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. The ancient Egyptians were possibly the first to embrace a mainly solar calendar. Let's have a look at the Top 15 Interesting Facts about Ancient Egypt. One popular game was Senet, which was played for over 2,000 years! The Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. 1. Egypt is filled with ancient pyramids and ancient mysteries. Aged over 5000 years, the oldest dress in the world is found in Egypt. The largest collection of Egyptian artifacts will be housed at the new Grand Egyptian Museum. The ancient Egyptian civilisation existed from 3150 BC - 30 BC. Niger is the top on the list, with a birth expectancy rate of 7.6 children for every woman. The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the countrys north coast. Anyone except the Pharaoh strictly forbade its use. Catherine, standing at 8625 ft high (2,629m). The Great Cholula also has a volume of 4.3 million cubic yards, while the Great Pyramid has a volume of 3.3 million yards. The known tombs of Egyptian kings were all raided by robbers with one exception, the tomb of Tutankhamen (reigned 1334-1324 B.C.). Not for lack of choice but because Egypt has, If youre looking for a few Egypt travel tips, youve come to the right place! Bookmark them for later and watch this selection of 10 Egypt facts first: This post is part of a series of fun facts posts I'm doing for every country I have articles about here on the blog. 30. 23 Surprising Facts About Spain. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. 15. 14Walker, Jane. The afterlife was very important to Egyptians. 9. 6. All other photographs and illustrations: Getty Images UK, By entering your email address you agree to our. For example, in 1959, Czech Radio engineer Karel Drbal patented the idea that pyramids could sharpen blunt razor blades. Learn more with our balanced list of interesting Islam facts. Spectacular in both its beauty and history, Ethiopia is truly a unique African country. Modern Egypt Facts 6: food The main food of Egyptian people is bread. Share them in the comments below! The great pyramid is big enough to cover the moon up to three times if it was chopped into 12 cubes. Unlike most other rivers, it flows south to north, it floods in the. Safety . He became Egypts king when he was only 6 years old. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. The longest river in the world, the Nile, runs through Egypt. In Ancient Egypt, bread was one of the most important food staples; it was eaten daily by both rich people and the lower classes. The result was something clean and tasty to drink that got you a little tipsy too. North ofCairo(Egypts capital city) is the sprawling, triangularNile River Delta. The Ancient Egyptian religion has over 14,000 gods and goddesses. This is according to the reports released by the World health organization.. Use them during a quiz on trivia about Egypt, for your homework, or just to show off at parties ;). Of all the Arab countries, Egypt is the only one that has a movie industry. Credit: MusikAnimal // CC BY-SA 3.0. Medical examinations reveal that parasites such as worms were a problem for ancient Egyptians. The pyramids were erected with stones so heavy they weigh up to 10 tons each. The first person in Egypt identified by name (Mery) for tax evasion was sentenced to 100 blows for his crime. The country has one of the longest histories of any other on the planet, dating back more than 5,000 years! The Great Pyramids of Giza. 3. The Egyptian polymath Imhotep (the one who comes in peace) is known as the first physician, the first engineer, and the first architect. Known for building the world-famous pyramids and mummifying their dead, the Ancient Egyptian empire offered a more advanced form of living and a new way of life for thousands of people. 04 Workers typically earned 5 sacks of grain in a single month. One Female Pharaoh Wore a Fake Beard Hatshepsut was an Egyptian pharaoh. Experience its wonder and beauty with our interesting Swaziland facts. Youve likely seen depictions of Pharaohs in books or on television, but have you ever wondered what the significance of the Cobra on their crown is? It's one of those weird facts about Egypt. I hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Egypt. 05 Egypt's time zone is GMT+2. Her full name is Facebook Jamal Ibrahim. Join us, ancient explorers, as we head back 5,000 years through history to discover fascinating facts about Ancient Egypt, from its ancient beginnings to Egypt today. 5) Unwrapped, the bandages of an Ancient Egyptian mummy could stretch for 1.6km. 11. Its still used in the modern world. 3. The Great Pyramid of Giza is around 4,500 years old making it the oldest of the ancient worlds seven wonders. The English name Egypt comes from the ancient Greek name for the country Aigyptos while the Arabic name Misr comes from the Akkadian word misru meaning border or frontier. Source: CIA World Fact Book, 25. June 19, 2010. They might look like simply triangular-shaped structures but theyre much more complicated! Ramses II was publicly unwrapped in June 1886 in just 15 minutes. The longest documented reign of any monarch is that of Egypts Pharaoh Pepi II who ruled for 94 years from around 2281 BC. An Arab proverb captures the pyramids endurance: Man fears Time, yet Time fears the pyramids. The other six wonders are (1) the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, (2) the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, (3) the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, (4) the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, (5) the Colossus of Rhodes, and (6) the Lighthouse of Alexandria. 2. The Pyramids were built to have smooth, angled sides, symbolizing the rays of the Sun; their distinct design was a way to help the kings soul ascend to heaven and join the gods, particularly the Sun god Ra. It is said that even female Pharaohs wore these fake beards! Trending 40 Interesting and Surprising Nigeria Facts . Of course, we now know that the flooding is caused by heavy rains and melting snow. About ten percent of Egyptians areCopts, one of the oldest branches of the Christian religion.Egypts population is growing rapidly. The official language of Egypt is Arabic, but some people also speak other languages like French and English. Although born in Alexandria, she was of Greek lineage. The tradition of exchanging wedding rings traces its origin back to ancient Egypt. Landslides, Flash floods, and droughts are some of the natural disasters that affect the people of Egypt. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. The earliest of the pyramids is built in the form of steps. Of course, these grains, combined with the sun and heat, started a fermentation process. Female circumcision is illegal in Egypt, except in cases of a medical emergency. The Ancient Egyptian timeline is broken up into several different kingdoms and periods lasting almost 6000 years! Egypt is the most visited country in Africa receiving over 13 million tourists a year. Source:UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 29. Where even is Egypt? Female Circumcision Focus of Ferocious Debate in Egypt. The New York Times. Egyptian history is generally considered to have begun in 3200 B.C. While desert landscapes likely come to mind when you think of Egypt, you might be surprised to learn that some of the best beaches in the world are located on the countrys Sinai Peninsula, particularly in the southern area of the peninsula. She loves to be outside, hiking in the mountains, playing in the snow on her snowboard, and biking. 21. As of 1 January 2017, the population of Egypt was estimated to be 94,538,320 people. Cairo's home to a staggering number of people. Do you know any fun facts about Egypt? Egyptian hieroglyphs are complicated! No need to comment three times :) Like it says: I moderate all comments to make sure no spam gets through so that means your comment wont always immediately be published. The population was 102,334,404 in 2020. He has an animal head with a long curved snout. The year consisted of three seasons of 120 days each, plus an intercalary month of 5 epagomenal days treated as outside of the year proper. Egypt is famous for its ancient civilisation. Do you know any Egyptian fun facts? 4Egyptian Women Protesters Forced to Take Virginity Tests. BBC. 1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. It ranks higher than Iraq and Saudi Arabia which ranks 2nd and 3rd respectively. Egypt is a country located in North Africa bordering Israel, Libya, Sudan and the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. There are many interesting facts about Cleopatra. For almost 3,000 years (from around 3100 BC to 332 BC), ancient Egypt was the most notable civilisation in the Mediterranean world. Source: History Channel. The last known hieroglyphic inscription was made in A.D. 394 in the temple of Isis in Philae. Learn more about this beautiful Mediterranean country with this selection of Egypt facts. The three pyramids of Giza are guarded by a giant sphinx thought to be the representation of the son of Khufu, pharaoh Chephren (Khafre). Ancient Egypt. Thanks! The Egyptian mummies were found to contain traces of cocaine and nicotine. Here are 25 Interesting Facts about Ancient Egypt that you probably didn't know! 2. Its common practice in many cultures around the world, including western ones, but the custom of exchanging wedding rings started in ancient Egypt. Interesting facts about Cleopatra The wooden toe belonged to an ancient Egyptian woman at around 1000 B.C. Not only were animals worshipped in Ancient Egypt, but they were also trained to do many things. In an attempt to conquer the frequent annual flooding of the river Nile, Egypt has one of the largest manmade dams: Aswan high dam. 58. Welcome to the lovely and beautiful country of Egypt! When this happens, floods cover the rivers valleys, leaving sediments needed for trees, plants and crops to grow.Egypt is often divided into two sections Upper Egyptin the south andLower Egyptin the north. The Greeks who sometimes left unwanted infants (most often girls) outdoors to die, were shocked to discover that the Egyptians did not. On 25th January 2011, Egypt erupted into what would come to be known as the Egyptian revolution, part of the wider Arab Spring regional movement. Summer, which is from May to October, is very hot. 23. There are 21 protected areas in the country to help this nature thrive. 02 Modern Egypt covers an area of over 1 million km. Egypt is the 66th most fertile country in the world. Egypt's pyramids are the second largest on earth. The worlds oldest dress is from Egypt. Egypts most valuable resources are oil and gas, which are exported to other countries. The population of Egypt is massive. Surprising Facts about Egypt 1. This work was written by Ahmes in the 1650 B.C. wow! Ancient Egyptian tomb builders had their own guarded villages. Egypt is part of an area known as the Fertile Crescent, also known as the Cradle of Civilization. By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. Other foods served on the meal include beans, couscous, rice, and fruits. You can imagine there are so many interesting facts about Egypt to know. The Beautiful House is the name of the house or tent where mummification took place in ancient Egypt. 50. Egyptian, The scarab beetle was sacred to the Egyptians and represented life after, Hippos were considered bad omens and were associated with the evil. Egypt has the oldest prosthetic limb in the world. Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. The Ancient Egyptian World. 4. 15. On average, only an inch of rain falls in Egypt per year. In 2021, a container ship called the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal and was stuck for six days, disrupting global supply chains freezing nearly $10 billion in trade a day. Source: New York Times, 13. 2. 13. Having so many people in such a small area causes overcrowding everywhere, from schools and hospitals to apartment buildings and public transport.Children are highly valued in Egypt, especially in rural areas where they help on family farms. Much of the rest of the land is desert and can get very hot . The minimum wage is 1 200 pound per month (data from 2014). The Sahara Desert at one time was lush grassland and savannah. The ancient Egyptians mummified both human beings and animals as they believed it would allow the dead to pass safely into the afterlife. 1. Egypt (along with other countries in the region) has gone to war with Israel several times since 1948 in what has become known as the Arab-Israeli wars. The Ancient Egyptian civilization spanned more than 3,000 years. Ask a parent or guardian to check it out first and remember to stay safe online. Egypt is the 15th country with the highest population in the world, with 99% of the country's people living on just 5.5% of the land. Photo by Steffen Gundermann. One of the most interesting facts about Egypt! Here's some enlightening and fun facts about Egypt for you to discover 1. They also conquered other lands. The pyramid of Giza is among the seven wonders of both the ancient and the modern world. 61. 03 Egypt's population today numbers just over 100 million people. what useful information about the big toe! If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. The country has 386,662 square miles of land and is the 30th largest country in the world by land mass. Built across the Nile River, the dam is 328 feet tall and 2.1 miles long and was instrumental in preventing flooding and providing quality drinking water. 1. Want to call your family or friends in Egypt? 48. These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss. The Egyptian calendar was based on 12 30-day lunar cycles (360 days in total). The ancient Egyptians believed that the floods were caused by the tears of the goddess Isis. 2. Located at Giza, the Pyramid of Khufu is the largest Pyramid in Egypt. Goddess of women; also sky goddess, tree goddess, or necropolis goddess. During this period, the pharaohs had a number of majestic pyramids built. We might look at Ancient Egypt as a quick snapshot in time King Tut only ruled for 10 years, after all. The Great Pyramid of Giza is around 4,500 years old making it the oldest of the ancient world's seven wonders. The sun played such an important role in everyday life that the shape of the pyramids was inspired by it. It dates back to around 30 B.C. . Accessed: May 5, 2011. Now, let's look at 9 thrilling facts about traveling to Egypt. Check out these interesting facts about Ancient Egypt. The mystery of the Sphynx's missing nose! Learn more about Natasha Alden on The World Pursuit About Us Page.