Egypt Research Paper

The country of Egypt, located in Northern Africa, became unified far back in 3150 BC, making it one of the most ancient civilizations to date that still remains. It has been a unified nation for thousands of years, but to this date is seen as one of the poorest countries in the world. Egypt’s ethnic background consists of Bedouin Arab tribes that originate from near and around the Sinai Peninsula, as well as Berber-speaking communities that originate around the Siwa Oasis. There are also the Nubian peoples that are known to cluster around the Nile within the south of the country.
Much of Egypt is a hot desert and is very dry over much of the country save for the northern coast, as it receives much more rainfall when winter arrives. While rainfall is rare, the heat that occurs during summer becomes a very notable feature of the country despite the northern coast remaining more moderate in comparison. Prevailing winds that can be seen to affect the northern coast blow continuously without interference from mountain ranges and by extension can keep a moderate temperature throughout the year.
Despite the northern coast being a rather moderate area the winds that make this so do not reach inland. Because of this daytime temperatures tend to be a great deal hotter in summertime where the average temperature can easily soar into the hundred degree mark. There are areas such as Sinai and Saint Catherine that have cooler night temperatures thanks to their elevated position within the mountains.
Buildings have overly large windows so as to allow any errant breeze to waft in, while houses in the old days were made of mud in order to keep the heat out as much as possible. When dealing with such intense heat it is quite important to find any and every way possible to divert or eradicate its effects overall. When traveling to Egypt it would no doubt be more conducive to those who are not as acclimated to the heat to keep to the northern coast and nearer to the Nile, where continual breezes and a more temperate area would be a more attractive and inviting tourist attraction.
Egypt’s government is that of a republic, as it features a semi-presidential system, which means that there exists a president that leads in tandem with a Cabinet and a prime minister. The latter two are held responsible for the legislature in a given state. This differs from the idea of what is known as parliamentary republic as it features an elected leader who carries much more responsibility than just being a figurehead (Egypt, 2015).
The government of Egypt would not seem to have any reason to hamper tourism aside from the fact that during its tenure there has been civil rest within Egypt and a decided lack of unity that has in the recent past made tourism a rather poor decision. So long as travel is limited to certain areas within the country however it would appear that the Egyptian government is not an impediment to travel.
Cultural norms could be an impediment to travel and tourism if not strictly observed and adhered to, and are important to be recognized when entering any country. As a part of the Middle Eastern region Egypt does indeed have many of the same customs. Be they Muslim, Copt, or otherwise, Egyptians are a very religious people and are governed by such principles in their daily lives. Family is also of great importance to the Egyptians, and extended family shares great commitment to one another, an enviable environment in which each member of the family is deeply involved and responsible for its integrity.
Like many natives of other countries Egyptians are somewhat apprehensive of those who hail from western culture. As many views in the west concerning Egyptians and Arabs are tainted and warped by the media, few if any have basis in reality. In truth Egyptians are quite hospitable and very friendly. Within their country Egyptians are generally raised within tight social environments that are greatly influenced by Islam. While this is not entirely understood by westerners, it is a very rich and often misunderstood culture that has existed for thousands of years.
Despite the misconceptions it is this very quality about Egyptians that make them such welcoming and affable people. If one understands the culture and takes the time to show consideration to those who are essentially their hosts when visiting Egypt, it is possible to become a most welcome guest to the country.
One thing to remember is that devout Muslims are known to not drink alcohol. Most will not object if others imbibe, but it is usually a good idea to not make a spectacle of such a thing, if only to be polite. If there is any doubt it is wise to ask rather than just do as one pleases. It is also prohibited in the Muslim tradition to engage in the use of drugs or to consume pork, as it is considered an unclean food. Also, anything that is considered to be explicit sexual material is considered illegal and will likely be confiscated if found in a tourist’s possession. This is a very devout country, and often respects those who respect its laws and culture.
The moral codes of Egypt are also quite important to keep in mind, as women within Egypt are still kept under the Muslim religion and as such are placed under certain restrictions that western women do not adhere to (Egypt Travel Guide, 2013). For example while very few restrictions are placed upon foreign women it is still polite to take note that women are generally seen as being expected to remain with other women when in ticket lines or on buses. Even being a westerner, a bus driver may very well ask a woman to sit in front rather than with the men. In Egypt it is common to see that the first car on metro lines is kept for women.
Overall Egyptians are quite accommodating and will seek to please their guests and insure that they are kept abreast of the local customs and cultures so as not to make too many mistakes (Egypt Travel, 2015). They generally require little personal space however and will stand far closer than most westerners are used to, and will inevitably draw a crowd over something seemingly as innocuous as to finding the correct answer to a question. This is generally a culture in which politeness, custom, and respect is almost sacrosanct not only to the people but also to their expectations for those who visit their country. Egypt is not a very diverse country, but as a tourist spot it offers a great deal of history and culture for the wandering tourist, so long as one remembers to brush up on their cultural and social knowledge beforehand.

Works Cited

Egypt. Encyclopedia of the Nations. 2015. Web. 23 April. 2015.
< http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Africa/Egypt.html>
Egypt Travel. Egypt Tourism. 2015. Web. 23 April. 2015.
< http://www.egypt.travel/>.
Egypt Travel Guide. Tour Egypt. 2013. Web. 23 April. 2015.
< http://www.touregypt.net/>