Peter Riley & Noah Rosen

Egypt

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external image EGYP0001.GIF

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external image ancient-egypt-map.jpgexternal image egypt_map.gif



Ancient
Modern
Population

80,471,869 as of July 2010
Per Capita Income

GDP per capita: $6200
Land area
Northern Nile River Valley
995,450 sq km
Political system/Gov't
Monarchy with theocratic aspects
Republic
Imports/exports
Imports: food(such as herbs, spices, etc.,) wine, wood products
Exports: cotten, grain, imported spices
Imports: Machinery, food products, chemicals, wood products, fuel
Exports: Crude Oil, petroleum, cotten, textiles, metal products, chemicals, processed goods
Cultural Traditions
Many Islamic traditions such as daily prayer to Allah, and fasting during Ramadan. People wore colorful clothing, and a lot of jewelry such as scarab beetles and hamsas.
Most people consider themselves to be Arab, so Egyptians follow a lot of Arab Muslim traditions, but the Egyptian culture is more complex because of its long history and numerous empires that controlled and bordered it. For example, the Nubians, an empire originated on the Sudan-Egypt border, has an affect on Egyptian traditions because there are still Nubians today that live in Egypt.
Religion(s)
Predominately Muslim
90% Muslim, 9% Coptic, 1% other christian

Summary


Egypt has been a powerful country for thousands of years. Since Egypt was a very successful and prosperous empire in ancient times, their traditions and culture have been retained and some are still evident today. Egypt has evolved politically and culturally because it has been conquered by many empires over time. Through cultural diffusion, the many empires that at one time ruled Egypt left traditions that are relevant in Egypt's modern society. These empires include the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and lastly, the Ottoman Empire. Egypt is now 90% Muslim, due to its proximity to the birthplaces and center of the Islamic world, Mecca and Medina. Geographically, Egypt has changed because, as shown on the map of ancient Egypt above, Egypt has controlled parts of the modern day countries of Ethiopia and Sudan. Egypt has undergone revolution and has overthrown its oppressive ruler of three decades, Hosni Mubarak, and is in a transitional state with a bright horizon.

Timeline


642 AD- Arabs capture Cairo, truly introducing Islam to Egypt

969 AD- The Fatimids conquer Egypt

970 AD- Al-Azhar University is founded
external image alazhar.jpg

c.1500 AD- The Ottomans conquer Egypt

1953- Egypt becomes a sovereign state

1968- Construction of the Aswan High Dam is started
external image Aswan%20High%20Dam.jpg

1971- Egypt adopts its Constitution

14 October 1981- Hosni Mubarak becomes president of Egypt
external image Hosni_Mubarak_ritratto.jpg

25 January 2011- Protests erupt in Cairo and other Egyptian cities

11 February 2011- Hosni Mubarak resigns

Bibliography

http://worldgeography.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1121166?terms=egypt
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar175040&st=Egypt
http://timelines.com/search?q=egypt