Location and Climate
Country Name: Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: Gomhoriyat Misr El-Arabiyah Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2 hours (daylight saving time observed late April-30 September) Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Telephone Area Code (of Greater Cairo): 02 Egypt Country Code: 20 People: Egyptians 99%; Greek, Nubian, Armenian, Sudanese, other European (primarily Italian and French) Main language: Egyptian Arabic
Climate of Cairo ============= Cairo has only two seasons: summer and 'not-summer'. Given the choice, you're far better off visiting during 'not-summer', a period that stretches roughly from September to April or May. January and February (10-20°C/50-68°F) can be overcast with the occasional shower, but the months immediately either side are comfortably warm, with daytime temperatures leavened by breezes. Between March and April, Cairo is occasionally subject to the khamseen, a dry and very dusty wind storm which blows in from the parched Western Desert at up to 150kph (93mph). During summer the city is insufferably hot (35-38°C/95-100°F) and grimy, though the relatively low humidity makes the heat bearable. Well-heeled Cairenes tend to sit out the summer up on the coast in Alexandria.
It's also worth considering the timing of the various Muslim festivals when planning your trip. During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, many businesses work half-days, museums and tourist sites shut early and many restaurants only open after sundown.
More on Cairo ============= Cairo is a home to more than 16 million Egyptians, Arabs, Africans and others from different countries and cultures in the world.
Cairo, the largest city in Africa, is said to contain more people per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world, although a transient population makes official figures difficult to obtain. To the visitor however, the first impression makes the statement seem very real. There are people everywhere and traffic at a standstill with pedestrians strolling between lines of motorists.
Population: 16.5 million
Source: ========== - lonelyplanet.com - CIA Fact Book - worldexecutive.com - egyptiancastle.com - Others
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