Landscape in Egypt
Country guide · North Africa

Egypt

Afriwhere editorial · 4 min read · updated 6 September 2026

Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is located in Northeast Africa and covers an area of over one million square kilometers. This area is home to approximately 80 million inhabitants.

Both the Nile Valley and the Nile Delta are among the most densely populated regions in the world. The capital of Egypt is Cairo (al-Qahira). With about 18 million inhabitants, Cairo is considered the economic, political, and cultural center of the country. Around 90 percent of Egypt’s population are Muslims, while Christians make up about six percent, forming a religious minority. The official language of Egypt is Egyptian Arabic, with Modern Standard Arabic used in writing. English is widely spoken as an educational and business language, and French is also used in some parts of the country.

Attractions in Egypt

Thanks to Egypt’s rich history, the country boasts a wide array of attractions. Egypt is particularly famous for its pharaohs, who built the many pyramids found throughout the land. Many of the country’s pyramids rank among the most impressive sights in the world, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza. This monument features a sphinx with the body of a lion and the head of a human. It is considered the oldest Egyptian stone sculpture and guards the entrance to the Great Pyramid of Giza. In addition to its traditional and historical attractions, Egypt also presents itself as a modern and vibrant country through its metropolises like Cairo, Suez, and the port city of Alexandria. Cairo is not only the country’s capital but also the largest city in the entire Arab world.

Thanks to its location along the Red Sea, the Nile Valley, and the Mediterranean Sea, combined with year-round warm temperatures, Egypt offers many popular beach resorts. These include the beaches of Sisi Kreir, Gamasa, and El Alamein. Beyond its coastal appeal, Egypt is also known for its vast deserts and oases. The desert dunes and rocky plains shape the landscape of large parts of the country.

Location and Climate of Egypt

Egypt shares land borders with Israel, Libya, Sudan, and the Gaza Strip. To the north, it borders the Mediterranean Sea, and to the east, the Red Sea. The 1,550-kilometer-long Nile River flows through the country from south to north. Along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast in the Nile Valley region, the climate is predominantly Mediterranean. Overall, however, Egypt has a predominantly dry and subtropical climate. This means that summers can be very hot, with average temperatures ranging from 31 to 41 degrees Celsius. However, the low humidity means the heat feels more bearable. The cooler season in Egypt runs from October to May, when daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm, not exceeding 25 degrees, and nighttime temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees.

Entry and Arrival

Egypt is easily and quickly accessible via its many international airports, such as those in Cairo, Alexandria, Taba, and Luxor. The country is served daily by flights from numerous German airports. For example, there is a direct connection between Frankfurt Airport and Cairo International Airport. In addition to air travel, many cruise ships from around the world also call at Egyptian ports. Entry into the country is possible for German nationals with a visa, which can be obtained in advance from the German Embassy in Berlin or upon arrival for a small fee.

Egypt Round Trips

Egypt is well-developed for tourism, offering an extensive range of travel options. Given the vast selection available, Egypt round trips are an excellent way to experience as many of the country’s historical highlights as possible without missing anything.

For more tips on Egypt travel, read more here.

Travel advice from the German Federal Foreign Office: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Laenderinformationen/00-SiHi/AegyptenSicherheit.html

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