Geography
Egyption Geological facts:
The Egyptian Nile Valley has been defined as two separate but distinct regions. The Upper portion of the Nile extends south of Cairo to the Sudanese border. The Lower portion, which encompasses the Nile Delta, begins north of Cairo and flow northward.
Most of Egypt is hot and dry. Alexandria and the Mediterranean coastal communities
experience mild weather, while the heat in Cairo and other inland areas is fierce, with
temperatures rising to as high as 50°C.
Located in northeastern Africa, Egypt covers an area of about 1,001,450 sq km (386,662 sq mi.) Bordered on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, and by the Red Sea to the East, Egypt is neighbored on the west by Libya and Sudan to the south.
Predominately a desert country (excluding the famous Nile valley), over 90% of the
land area is formed by a convergence of deserts. The Libyan Desert to the west, the
Sahara and Nubian Deserts to the south and the Arabian Desert to the east. There are
oases scattered across this wasteland and a swathe of land along the Suez Canal which
is cultivated, but it is mainly the land fed by the Nile that is habitable.
The Sinai Peninsula is formed of desert sand and spectacular mountains rising as high
as 2,637m (8,652ft) above sea level, but when asked about Egypt, most people think of the Nile. The Nile starts from the Sudan, flowing north through the country for 1,545km (960miles.) Finally emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Along its course it provides the people of Egypt with food, water, and transportation.
During the winter months (from November to February)temperatures can fall to freezing. Heavy winter rains fall along the Mediterranean coast but are less frequent in Cairo and in the interior. The Spring in Egypt is generally mild but plagued by the khamsin, a hot and bitter wind which brings blinding sand and dust storms and heralds the coming of summer.
Although the country has gold deposits, as well as iron ore, manganese, phosphates
and uranium, Egypt's most valuable mineral resource is oil. Camels, buffalo and donkeys are
the most prevalent domesticated animals to be found in Egypt. As for desert wildlife, the gazelle, jackal, jerboa and desert fox are indigenous to the country, as well as lizards and several venomous snakes. There are about 200 species of migratory birds and 150 species of local birds, including the marsh sandpiper, spoonbill, pink flamingo, hoopoe, heron, stork,
quail, egret and golden oriole. Eagles, falcons, vultures, hawks and owls are among
the birds of prey to be found. Egypt also has a ton of insect life. There are said to be
as many as 190 species of fish in the Nile and many more in the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
Egypt is home to one of the greatest centers of Arabian horse breeding in the world. The large government-controlled stud farms operate under the auspices of the Egyptian Agricultural Organization.
Aswan Dam and Egyption Dimensions
Dam Dimensions: Length 11,811 ft.
Height above river bed 364 ft.
Base Width 3,215 ft.
Crest Width 131 ft.
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between
Libya and the Gaza Strip
Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E
Total Area: 1,001,450 sq km
land: 995,450 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Coastline: 2,450 km
Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m
Highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese,
limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use: Arable land: 2%
other: 98% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 32,460 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards:periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides,
volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs
in spring; dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and
windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam;
desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs,
beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural
pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural
fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water
source; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resources
Geography - note: Egypt controls the Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder
of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between
Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel,
establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics
