Egypt is most famous for its ancient civilizations and some the world's most amazing monuments. It has the longest histories of an modern country, it was one of the world's first nation states. This nation's influence has spread well beyond the borders of the country and even beyond the continent of Africa, it has the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, organized religion, and central government. It is a wonder that Egypt's rule has expanded over such a long period of time starting in 3000 BC and still continues.
Geographical Factors
Egypt is located in northern Africa and shares it borders with Israel, Libya, Sudan, the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. Today's Egypt is between latitudes 22' and 32' N and longitudes 25' and 35'E at 386,660 square miles which marks it as the 30th largest country in the world. The highest point in Egypt is Mount Catherine at 8,625 feet, while the lowest point is the Qattara Depression at -436 feet.The Egyptian climate and geography was proven beneficial to the people of the land, the country is surrounded by desert and the terrain was very difficult for invaders to cross which helped Egypt to hold its boundaries without the constant threat of battle. Although most would see a desert land as not the best choice the Nile River allows for fertile soil and a supply of water, the Egyptian people built their homes and civilization in the Nile Valley and Delta. This viable soil is caused due to the late summer and early fall flood. Although most of the country is dry arid desert, the area of fertile soil helps sustain the country in food production and stability.
Egypt's economy is based on its strong agriculture based out of the Nile River valley. Its main products include cotton, rice, corn, wheat, fruits, vegetables, cattle, water buffalo, sand sheep. The other industries that Egypt is successful in is pharmaceuticals, cement, metals, and textiles. Tourism also plays a role in keeping the economy strong. Egypt as a nation has held together since 3000 BC beginning with the pharaohs and that is in part due to the geographical features.
1) "Snapshot, Africa: Egypt." Sheppardsoftware. Accessed March 2017. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Africaweb/snapshot/Egypt.htm.
2)Briney, Amanda. "The Country of Egypt - Geographic Information." ThoughtCo. Accessed March 2017. https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-egypt-1434576.
3)Reader, John. Africa: a biography of the continent. New York: Vintage, 1999.
