It has an area of 1,001,450 square km. Located in an ancient burial ground called Saqqara, the Step Pyramid is the oldest known pyramid in Egypt and was built around 2630 BC. Yet mummification was an expensive and time-consuming process, reserved for the more wealthy members of society. 57. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. 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. 4Egyptian Women Protesters Forced to Take Virginity Tests. BBC. Because hieroglyphs have no vowels, we will never know for sure how the ancients pronounced their words. The Nile divides the Egyptian desert plateau into two sections known as the Western Desert and the Eastern Desert. Source: National Geographic, Britannica, 16. These cookies help us record anonymous data about how people are using our website. 11. Ancient Egyptians needed to predict when the Nile would flood, which led to the development of the worlds first calendar. Ancient Egypts Fantastic and Weird History, Egyptian Women Protesters Forced to Take Virginity Tests, Enormous Statue of Powerful Pharaoh Unearthed, Meet My Daughter Facebook: How One Egyptian Father Is Commemorating the Part the Social Network Played in Revolution, Female Circumcision Focus of Ferocious Debate in Egypt, Angelina Jolie Goes Greek as Cleopatra but Some Dont Like It, 100 Interesting Facts That Will Amaze You. Planning a trip to Egypt or just want to know more about the country? The Sahara and Libyan Desert make up a large part of this country. The result was something clean and tasty to drink that got you a little tipsy too. However, female genital mutilation is still largely practiced all over Egypt. Now, let's look at 9 thrilling facts about traveling to Egypt. Triangular in shape, the Sinai Peninsula has an area of 23,500 square miles (61,000 square kilometers) and spans across two continents, Africa and Asia. Bread was invented in Egypt around 8,000 BC. With only a few grasslands and forests, wildlife is not common in Egypt. The country has one of the longest histories of any other on the planet, dating back more than 5,000 years! Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age. One Female Pharaoh Wore a Fake Beard Hatshepsut was an Egyptian pharaoh. The . On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. The British stayed until Egypt declared independence in 1952. 99 million people live in Egypt (2018) Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is the president of Egypt (2018). Men have a literacy rate of 83% while women lag behind at 59.4%. Egypt Facts55 Facts about Egypt. 15. The city of Cairo boasts varied cultures and social classes under a robust natural environment. The ancient Egyptian calendar was a solar calendar with a 365-day year. The British wanted control of the. Egypt is known for its oldest and longest history among the modern nations. had the longest reign in history94 years. 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. Did Cleopatra really die from a snake bite? Accessed: April 28, 2011. Has the head of a hawk, often with a double crown. Until 2005, there was never more than one presidential candidate to vote for. 20 Shocking Facts about Egypt That Didn't Know - factvrse.com The last known hieroglyphic inscription was made in A.D. 394 in the temple of Isis in Philae. There are no cities with more people in the whole of Africa. 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 . 9Malek, Jaromir. Creator god, associated with fertility. Egypt is the most visited country in Africa receiving over 13 million tourists a year. Source:UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 29. of large animals like elephants, hippos, leopards and cheetahs. 4) Both Egyptian men and women wore make-up. This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings! The three pyramids of Giza are guarded by a giant sphinx thought to be the representation of the son of Khufu, pharaoh Chephren (Khafre). The pyramids were erected with stones so heavy they weigh up to 10 tons each. The Pharaohs! A priest often wore the jackal-headed mask of the, The Copts are the largest Christian community in Egypt and in the Middle East. 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. Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbolsby checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature. Its common practice in many cultures around the world, including western ones, but the custom of exchanging wedding rings started in ancient Egypt. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. While most of the photos we see of Pharaohs show them sporting beards, the reality is they preferred a clean-shaven face. Natasha is the co-founder of The World Pursuit. Ancient Egyptians mummified not only people but animals as well. We just returned from a fantastic month in the country and loved every, The mighty Nile has been the lifeblood of Egypt since the beginning of civilization, and visitors in modern times can cruise down it on the Steam Ship Sudan. 40 Interesting Facts about Egypt - Serious Facts 10) The Ancient Egyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and believe it or not toothpaste! Although born in Alexandria, she was of Greek lineage. Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including jackals, gazelles, crocodiles, and cobras. The shape of the Egyptian pyramids is said to have been inspired by the sun rays. 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. Egypt are the most successful national football team in Africa. Others claimed that the role should have gone to an actress of Greek descent, such as Jennifer Aniston. It is one of the worlds most heavily used and important shipping lanes. Source: Suez Canal Authority, 12. The population of Egypt is massive. The Great Pyramids of Giza. One of the top attractions in Hanoi is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. 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. These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss. It also looks like a keyfor ancient Egyptians, the key to eternal life. The quality that ancient Egyptians valued most was called, Before an ancient Egyptian scribe wrote anything, he always poured out some water mixed with ink as an offering to the, Just 150 years ago, Americans and Europeans believed that, The word pharaoh began as a nickname for the Egyptian king. An ancient Egypt inscription from their pottery work indicates that there are three human genders. The first person in Egypt identified by name (Mery) for tax evasion was sentenced to 100 blows for his crime. 64. Fun Facts About The Ancient Egyptians - WorldAtlas They believed that by preserving a dead persons body which they did through the process of mummification their soul would live on in the afterlife forever. 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. In Egypt, children (even girls) were considered a blessing. Besides Cairo, other major cities in Egypt are Alexandria and Giza. This is one of the most interesting facts about Egypt! Sun god. The Egyptians also refer to their country as Misr, which can be used as a substitute name for Cairo. Interesting facts about Egypt 1. Oil, Cotton and food products are the Egyptians largest exports. Check out these interesting facts about Ancient Egypt. Population: 104 million people live in Egypt (2021) Capital: Cairo with 21 million inhabitants. February 21, 2011. Reaching more than a million people every month. The Fertile Crescent covers a roughly crescent-shaped area of fertile land that includes parts of present-day Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Cyprus. Source: History Channel. 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. The afterlife was extremely important to the Egyptians. No one knows for sure how the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun died. Some of the earliest known civilizations were located in Egypt. 63. 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. Top 25 Facts About Cairo - Discover Walks Blog 26 Ancient Egypt facts that will wow your class 1. June 19, 2010. It comes immediately after Ramadan and the Egyptians bake special cookies and host parties. Facts about Ancient Egypt 1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. The Egyptian Flag is tricolor consisting of red, white and black colors. He had eight official wives and nearly 100 concubines. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Erosion and sandstorms have created fascinating natural formations like nothing else youve ever seen! 5Enormous Statue of Powerful Pharaoh Unearthed. MSNBC. Dating back to the early 1500s, the Egyptian Sufi Dance, or Tanoura, is a historic religious ritual with roots in the Ottoman Empire. The first people to live on the banks of the Nile were hunters and fishermen, who settled there over 8,000 years ago. 48. 18 Interesting and Fun Facts About Egypt - The Planet D Trending 40 Interesting South Korea Facts One of the largest statues ever found, it was actually first discovered in 1923 and then rehidden. 40. Interesting facts about Cleopatra Ramses II was publicly unwrapped in June 1886 in just 15 minutes. . 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. For the ancient Egyptians, the Nile was mysterious. 10 Interesting Facts About Egypt - Yahoo! News Will scientific evidence unearth an ancient secret? Those beards they are often depicted in were fake and only worn for religious reasons. It took at least 20 years and 100,000 people to build the great pyramids. So if you are a snorkeling or diving fan make sure to bring a bathing suit when planning what to wear in Egypt! The museum is more than 100 years old so its had plenty of time to accumulate some of the worlds most amazing collections, housing artifacts of great importance including a room dedicated to the actual mummies of some of the great Pharaohs. Most Egyptian traditions and festivals trace their origin back to the time of pharaohs. The truth is that Egypt is not as dangerous as people think it is. Number. Usually has the head of an unidentified animal. All other photographs and illustrations: Getty Images UK, By entering your email address you agree to our. It is still not known exactly how this was done. 44. Niger is the top on the list, with a birth expectancy rate of 7.6 children for every woman. 1. Serious Facts is the most reliable source for interesting facts for over 4 years in a row. 6. Here you can . Egypt experiences natural dangers such as droughts, dust and sand storms, flash floods, earthquakes, landslides and windstorms (known as khamsin). In ancient Egypt, pigeon mail was widespread. Ramadan is a national celebration that runs for a whole month and is held annually. what useful information about the big toe! What to Wear in Egypt Example Egypt Outfits, Onboard the Steam Ship Sudan The REAL Death on the Nile. By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. With over 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, Islam is the second most popular religion. Fun facts about Ancient Egypt - Hope Blog He was the head of a hawk and wears the crown of Egypt. Until 2015, no Egyptian president had ever left office without dying or being arrested. The United States is 124th with 2.06 children per woman. Egypt is a democratic republic, although some critics claim that it is not truly democratic. She has been traveling for over 10 years, across 7 continents, experiencing unique cultures, new food, and meeting fantastic people. [3] The famous Great Pyramid at Giza was built as a burial place for King Khufu (2589-2566 B.C.) 12. Much of the rest of the land is desert and can get very hot . Theres no doubt about it, Egypt is one of the most fascinating places on earth! In ancient Egypt, every big city supported one favorite. Top 15 Interesting Facts About Ancient Egypt That You May Not Know To signify dignity and stay modest, Egyptian women keep their legs and arms covered. Egypt is largely covered by a desert, receiving only 20mm of rain per year. Egypt has the most Facebook users compared to any other country in the Middle East. The first signs of human activity date back to around 4,500 BCE. An Egyptian father named his newborn daughter Facebook to commemorate the role Facebook played in the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Approximately 99% of the population lives on about 5.5% of the land. Many people love their cats but Egyptians took their love to another level! 1. 1. - Source: CIA World Fact Book 3. Namesake. The official name of Egypt is the Arab Republic of Egypt. The gold hawk is the symbol of the Prophet Muhammads tribe. 25 Facts About ANCIENT EGYPT | 25 FACTS - YouTube Egypts Nile River is the worlds longest. The ancient Egyptians were possibly the first to embrace a mainly solar calendar. 1. 30. Very interesting. The Beautiful House is the name of the house or tent where mummification took place in ancient Egypt. is often considered the greatest pharaoh (great house) of the Egyptian empire. 10 weird facts about ancient Egyptians that will surprise you. 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! and took more than 20 years to build. Essential Facts Interesting Facts 01 Egypt dates back to the 3rd Millennium BC. One of the earliest known writing systems was invented by the ancient Egyptians. Khan Al Khalili is a mesh of excitement, bright colours, beautiful textiles and one-of-kind souvenirs. 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. 30 Geography Facts That Might Just Blow Your Mind 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. 5. Safety . The Aswan Dam, which was completed in 1970, is one of the biggest dams in the world. 17. They had a god for food, a god for everyday chores and a god for pretty much anything you can think of! The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board. Interesting Facts About Egypt That Most People Don't Know 4. We are looking to become the #1 facts source on the Internet and we are on our way. Your email address will not be published. 20 Cool Facts About Catfish | Facts Ride Cleopatra was born in 70 or 69 B.C. 1. Since the early 1800s, cotton has been famously harvested in Egypt and what a fine cotton it is! Although I didnt find this one fun 91% of Egyptian women aged between 15 and 49 years have undergone female genital mutilation. 3. You are absolutely right, its not. The majority of the population lives near the River Nile because this is the only arable land in the country. However, no one knows the reason behind that conclusion. There were three female pharaohs, of whom the greatest was Hatshepsut (reigned 1498-1483 B.C.). It's actually found in Mexico. Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. Discover the treasures of Ancient Egypts most famous pharaoh. The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, as well as Israel, Libya, and Sudan, are all about Egypt. February 21, 2011. 23 Surprising Facts About Spain. The life expectancy of Egyptians is approximately 72.66 years, which ranks 124th in the world. By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C. Ill check this next time I update the post. The Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. It is 5,000 years old. 30 interesting facts about ancient Egypt * Interesting 5) Unwrapped, the bandages of an Ancient Egyptian mummy could stretch for 1.6km. At least 118 pyramids were built by the pharaohs as royal tombs. Source: Reuters, National Geographic, 9. It is bordered by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Red Sea to the east and south, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. Well, gang, so did the Ancient Egyptians! 100 Things You Should Know about Ancient Egypt. By 3000 B.C., a civilisation was established. A few millennia back, ancient Egypt was one of the richest and most powerful civilizations in the world. The earliest of the pyramids is built in the form of steps. The Greeks who sometimes left unwanted infants (most often girls) outdoors to die, were shocked to discover that the Egyptians did not. Egyptian hieroglyphs are complicated! Of all the Arab countries, Egypt is the only one that has a movie industry. Welcome to the lovely and beautiful country of Egypt! 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. The mystery of the Sphynx's missing nose! Youd love our magazine! Sky god. Home Destinations Africa Egypt 35 Fun and Interesting Facts About Egypt. Facts about Egypt | Fun Facts about Egypt | Memphis Tours Sphinx and pyramid at Giza, Egypt: Javarman, Dreamstime. However, Isis was also the name of one of the most worshipped Egyptian gods. The Giza pyramids are just some of the oldest pyramids in the world. Spices, jewelry, coffee and so many great bargains are to be found! Top 10 Facts About Ancient Egypt! - Fun Kids - the UK's children's Located at Giza, the Pyramid of Khufu is the largest Pyramid in Egypt. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. 4. Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. 19. There are a lot of interesting facts surrounding the pyramids. Top 10 Fun Facts About Egypt Egypt Egypt is a country with a long and rich history. The country is ethnically homogeneous, with Egyptians comprising more than 99% of the population. The Great Pyramid of Giza is around 4,500 years old making it the oldest of the ancient worlds seven wonders. Interesting Information & Facts About Egypt For Children They traded with their neighbours and learned to sail boats. 39. Cleopatra was not actually Egyptian. Yes, however, you need to be very careful to drink around the holy month, Ramadan - youll also need to be over 21 to drink here. Accessed: April 18, 2011. Population: 96.5 million. The most famous of which is the Great Pyramid of Giza which is the only wonder of the ancient world that has survived to the present day. The United States is 50th, with a life expectancy of 78.37 years. 2. 26. Dear admins, Fast Fun Egypt Facts The capital city of Egypt is Cairo and it is the largest city in Egypt. Its thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck! Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Ancient Egypt primary resource? Senet was the most popular game and was played for more than 2,000 years but there were also Mehen and Dogs and Jackals. 9. We dont think much about where everyday items were invented, but youll likely be surprised to learn that toothpaste, pens, paper, keys and locks were invented in Egypt. 9. The ancient Egyptians left paintings and carvings (which can still be seen today!) He named the capital of the united lands Memphis, which means Balance of Two Lands. Legend says he ruled for 60 years until he was killed by a hippopotamus. (David Berkowitz / CC BY 2.0 ) The dance is still passed down to younger generations who keep the tradition going and there are plenty of places around the country where you can see this dance performed including restaurants, nightclubs and theaters. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. Egypt is ethnically homogeneous with Egyptians comprising more than 99% of the population. 55 Interesting Facts About Egypt - The Fact File 13Sutter, John. She is an expert in travel, budgeting, and finding unique experiences. in the north. 100 Interesting Facts About Ancient Egypt * Facts - Unusual facts It is divided into 27 Governorates. 13. Egypt is filled with ancient pyramids and ancient mysteries. This is according to the reports released by the World health organization. Source: World Bank, 6. They Were One Of The First Civilizations To Read And Write Credit: Shutterstock image by matrioshka Along with the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to invent reading and writing. 99 Random Fun Facts About Anything & Everything. Unlike most other rivers, it flows south to north, it floods in the. Other common calamities in Egypt include Sandstorms, duststorms, and windstorms, also known as Khamsin. The crocodile is known as the devourer of human hearts in the ancient Book of the Dead. 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. 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? 34. Id al Fitr is one of the biggest celebrations in Egypt. As of 1 January 2017, the population of Egypt was estimated to be 94,538,320 people. Contrary to popular belief, Cleopatra was actually Greek, not Egyptian or African.