Basic Information

Egypt occupies the northeast corner of the African continent. It is bordered by the Mediterranean in the north and the Red Sea in the east. It shares land borders with the Gaza Strip, Israel, Libya, and Sudan, and includes the Sinai Peninsula. The latter bridges the gap between Africa and Asia.

With a total area of just over 386,600 square miles (1 million square kilometers), Egypt Egypt is approximate twice the size of Spain and three times the size of New Mexico.


The country has a desert climate, and as such Egyptian weather is generally hot and sunny all year round. During winter (November to January), temperatures are much milder, while summers can be sweltering with temperatures regularly exceeding 104 F/ 40 C. Rainfall is rare in the desert, although Cairo and the Nile Delta see some precipitation in winter.


Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Egypt is from October to April, when temperatures are at their most pleasant. However, June and September are good times to travel for out-of-season deals on trips and accommodation—but be prepared for high heat and humidity. If you're traveling to the Red Sea, coastal breezes make the heat bearable even in summer (July to August).


According to July 2016 estimates published by the CIA World Factbook, Egypt has a population of just over 94.6 million people. The official language of Egypt is Modern Standard Arabic. Egyptian Arabic is the lingua franca, while the educated classes often speak either English or French as well. Islam is the predominant religion in Egypt, accounting for 90% of the population. Sunni is the most popular denomination amongst Muslims. Christians account for the remaining 10% of the population, with Coptic Orthodox being the primary denomination.