No country can compare to Egypt when it comes to historical sites, magnificent monuments, and tourist activities. Who hasn’t heard of the ancient Pharaohs, the famous pyramids, King Tutankhamen (King Tut), Cairo, the Sphinx, and ancient Egyptian mummies? With endless ancient and modern attractions to suit people of all ages and all backgrounds, it’s not surprising that Egypt is included on almost all Middle Eastern trip itineraries and tours.
Yet by far the oldest and most famous geographical element of Egypt is the Nile River. The Nile River of today, said to be the longest river in the world, is the same Nile River of yesteryears mentioned in the Bible. Ever since the dawn of man the Nile has sustained the Egyptian people by providing water for human life and for the land. In ancient times, if the banks of the Nile River did not overflow each year, there would be no water to irrigate the land, crops would not grow, and a famine would ensue. In later years the Nile served as a major passageway for trade and put Egypt on the map economically and politically, giving Egypt significant bargaining power with its neighbors. Still today, over 90% of Egypt’s major cities and attractions are lined up along the banks of the Nile River, which is why Nile cruises are so popular and considered one of the best ways to learn about the history of Egypt.
If you are already familiar with the history of the Nile, here are some less-known but equally interesting facts about the world’s most famous river :
• The name Nile comes from the Greek word “Neilos,” which means valley
• The Nile begins near the equator, flows north along the Saharan Desert, and ultimately empties into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
• The river is said to be 4,184 miles (6695 km) in length
• The river flows through nine countries but is most strongly associated with Egypt and Uganda
• The remaining countries through which the Nile travels are: Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zaire, Tanzania, Sudan, and Burundi
What else can you expect to be included in Egypt tour packages? To do it justice, the list of what to do and see in Egypt could go on for days, however the following is just a sample of the most frequently visited and popular tourist destinations.
Pyramids of Giza: Nothing behooves the mind more than these perfectly aligned triangular structures, built entirely by hand without the aid of modern construction tools and machinery. The three pyramids will leave you in awe and must be included on any Egypt trip itinerary.
The Sphinx: If you were mesmerized by the Great Pyramids, you will be equally baffled by the Sphinx, another towering Egyptian pyramid. No wonder archeologists still today are trying to solve “the Riddle of the Sphinx”.
Abu Simbel: Built by Pharaoh Ramesses II in commemoration of himself and his wife, these two temples are breathtaking in their beauty and much effort has gone into their preservation.
Cairo: The most popular Egyptian cities frequented by tourists are Luxor, Giza, Awan, and the capital city of Cairo. As the center of culture and national pride, the city is home to many fine eateries featuring traditional Middle Eastern dishes, as well as hotels and hostels to accommodate its many visitors. Be sure to spend a morning or afternoon in the Egypt Museum, where archeologists have put together an unprecedented collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. And if shopping is your passion, you won’t want to miss Cairo’s bustling bazaars where you pick up some knick knacks and enjoy bargaining with the local merchants.
Valley of the Kings: If you find the notion of ancient crypts, old corpses, and creepy legends fascinating, your trip to Egypt must include a stop at the Valley of Kings, the burial place of hundreds of century old Pharaohs, their families, and servants. The place is crawling with ancient mummies, undiscovered treasures, and is the site of the famed King Tutankhamen’s tomb.
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