Page last updated on February 3, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from Britain in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new parliament was in place in early 2012. That same year, Mohammed MURSI won the presidential election, but in mid-July 2013 the military ousted MURSI and he was replaced by interim president Adly MANSOUR. In mid-January 2014, a new constitution was affirmed by referendum, replacing the one approved in 2012.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,001,450 sq km
country comparison to the world: 30
land: 995,450 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,665 km
border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,450 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m
highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 2.87%
permanent crops: 0.79%
other: 96.34% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34,220 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
57.3 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%)
per capita: 973.3 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorms called khamsin occur in spring; dust storms; sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees from Sudan and the Palestinian territories
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Egyptian(s)
adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
85,294,388 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 32.3% (male 14,100,807/female 13,474,763)
15-24 years: 18% (male 7,861,197/female 7,471,045)
25-54 years: 38.3% (male 16,565,411/female 16,072,992)
55-64 years: 6.6% (male 2,801,205/female 2,842,786)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 1,844,456/female 2,259,726) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 58.5 %
youth dependency ratio: 49.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 9.1 %
potential support ratio: 10.9 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 24.8 years
male: 24.5 years
female: 25.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.88% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.79 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.79 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 43.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.04% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
CAIRO (capital) 11.169 million; Alexandria 4.387 million (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.9 (2008 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
66 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 93
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 80
male: 24.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 73.19 years
country comparison to the world: 124
male: 70.57 years
female: 75.93 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.9 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
60.3% (2008)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 143
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.83 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 17
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.8% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 117
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 73.9%
male: 81.7%
female: 65.8% (2012 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 13 years
female: 12 years (2010)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 1,066,526
percentage: 7 % (2005 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 24.8%
country comparison to the world: 41
male: 14.7%
female: 54.1% (2010)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form: Egypt
local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form: Misr
former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Cairo
geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Uqsur (Luxor), Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28 February 1922 (from UK protectorate status; the revolution that began on 23 July 1952 led to a republic being declared on 18 June 1953 and all British troops withdrawn on 18 June 1956); note - it was ca. 3200 B.C. that the Two Lands of Upper (southern) and Lower (northern) Egypt were first united politically
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Day, 23 July (1952)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest approved by a constitutional committee in December 2013 and approved by referenfum held on 14-15 January 2014 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil law and Islamic religious law; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions)
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Interim President Adly MANSOUR (since 1 July 2013)
head of government: Interim Prime Minister Hazem el-BEBLAWI (since July 2013); Deputy Prime Ministers Hossam EISSA, Abdelfattah Said ELSISI, Lt. Gen., Ziad Bahaa EL-DIN
cabinet: in an early January 2013 cabinet reshuffle, 10 new ministers were sworn in
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: presidential election (first round held on 23-24 May 2012; runoff held on 16-17 June 2012 (next election NA)
election results: percent of vote (first round) - Mohammed MURSI 24.3%, Ahmed SHAFIQ 23.3%, Hamdin SABAHI 20.4%, Abdul Moneim Aboul FOTOUH 17.2%, Amr MOUSSA 11.1%, other 3.7%; (runoff) - Mohammed MURSI 51.7%, Ahmed SHAFIQ 48.3%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral parliament consists of the Shura Council or Majlis al-Shura that traditionally functions mostly in a consultative role (at least 150 seats with up to one-tenth of body appointed by the president to serve six-year terms - as stated in the 2012 constitution); and the House of Representatives (at least 350 seats - as stated in the 2012 constitution; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: People's Assembly and Advisory Council elections last held between November and January 2012; elections for new House of Representatives announced for April or May 2013, but probably will be delayed pending decision by the Administrative Court; election for the Shura Council to be held within one year
note: the Supreme Court on 14 June 2012 dissolved the People's Assembly
election results: Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - Democratic Alliance for Egypt 45%, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 28.6%, New Wafd Party 8.5%, Egyptian Bloc 5.4%, other 12.5%; seats by party - Democratic Alliance for Egypt 105, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 45, New Wafd Party 14, Egyptian Bloc 8, other 4, independents 4, presidential appointees 90; People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - Democratic Alliance for Egypt 37.5%, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 27.8%, New Wafd Party 9.2%, Egyptian Bloc 8.9%, Al-Wasat Party 3.7%, The Revolution Continues Alliance 2.8%, Reform and Development Party 2.2%, National Party of Egypt 1.6%, Freedom Party 1.9%, Egyptian Citizen Party 0.9%, other 3.5%; seats by party - Democratic Alliance of Egypt 235, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 123, New Wafd Party 38, Egyptian Bloc 35, Al-Wasat 10, Reform and Development Party 9, The Revolution Continues Alliance 8, National Party of Egypt 5, Egyptian Citizen Party 4, Freedom Party 4, independents 21, other 6, SCAF appointees 10
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (consists of the court president and NA judges); Supreme Constitutional Court or SCC (consists of the court president and 10 members)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judge appointment and tenure NA; SCC judges appointed by the president of the republic; judge tenure NA;
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; courts of limited jurisdiction; Family Court (established in 2004)
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CD, CICA, COMESA, D-8, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed M. TAWFIK (since 7 September 2012)
chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400
FAX: [1] (202) 244-5131
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David M. SATTERFIELD (since 30 August 2013)
embassy: 5 Tawfik Diab St., Garden City, Cairo
mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo
telephone: [20] (2) 2797-3300
FAX: [20] (2) 2797-3200
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)
note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
golden eagle
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland)
lyrics/music: Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH
note: adopted 1979; after the signing of the 1979 peace with Israel, Egypt sought to create an anthem less militaristic than its previous one; Sayed DARWISH, commonly considered the father of modern Egyptian music, composed the anthem
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Cairo from 2004 to 2008 aggressively pursued economic reforms to attract foreign investment and facilitate GDP growth. Despite the relatively high levels of economic growth in recent years, living conditions for the average Egyptian remained poor and contributed to public discontent. After unrest erupted in January 2011, the Egyptian Government backtracked on economic reforms, drastically increasing social spending to address public dissatisfaction, but political uncertainty at the same time caused economic growth to slow significantly, reducing the government's revenues. Tourism, manufacturing, and construction were among the hardest hit sectors of the Egyptian economy, and economic growth is likely to remain slow during the next several years. The government drew down foreign exchange reserves by more than 50% in 2011 and 2012 to support the Egyptian pound and the dearth of foreign financial assistance - as a result of unsuccessful negotiations with the International Monetary Fund over a multi-billion dollar loan agreement which have dragged on more than 20 months - could precipitate fiscal and balance of payments crises in 2013.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$534.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$253.3 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 79.3%
government consumption: 11.6%
investment in fixed capital: 16%
investment in inventories: 0.8%
exports of goods and services: 18.6%
imports of goods and services: -26.2%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 14.5%
industry: 36.9%
services: 48.6% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 32%
industry: 17%
services: 51% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 27.6% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.4 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 90
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $50.1 billion
expenditures: $77.71 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-10.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
88% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
note: data cover central government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.68% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$45.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$192.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$192.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$48.68 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 44
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-9.136 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.93 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals, processed food
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Italy 7.9%, India 6.9%, US 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 6.2%, Turkey 5.3%, Libya 4.9% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$60.26 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 9.5%, US 7.6%, Germany 6.7%, Russia 5.3%, Ukraine 5.3%, Turkey 5.1%, Italy 5% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.93 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$38.69 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$75.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.285 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
138.7 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
122.4 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.595 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
156 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.91 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
87.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
720,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
85,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48,740 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.4 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 26
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
602,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
816,300 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
90,050 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
164,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61.26 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.17 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.51 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.186 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 16
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
201.7 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.557 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 23
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
96.8 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 16
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s; principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay
domestic: largest fixed-line system in the region; as of 2011 there were multiple mobile-cellular networks with a total of roughly 83 million subscribers
international: country code - 20; landing point for Aletar, the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks, Link Around the Globe (FLAG) Falcon and FLAG FEA; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mix of state-run and private broadcast media; state-run TV operates 2 national and 6 regional terrestrial networks as well as a few satellite channels; about 20 private satellite channels and a large number of Arabic satellite channels are available via subscription; state-run radio operates about 70 stations belonging to 8 networks; 2 privately owned radio stations operational (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.eg
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
200,430 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 71
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.136 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 21
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
83 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 65
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 72
over 3,047 m: 15
2,438 to 3,047 m: 36
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
under 914 m: 6 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 486 km; condensate/gas 74 km; gas 7,986 km; liquid petroleum gas 957 km; oil 5,225 km; oil/gas/water 37 km; refined products 895 km; water 65 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5,083 km
country comparison to the world: 34
standard gauge: 5,083 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2009)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 137,430 km
country comparison to the world: 37
paved: 126,742 km (includes 838 km of expressways)
unpaved: 10,688 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,500 km (includes the Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in Nile Delta; the Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) is navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 30
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 67
country comparison to the world: 62
by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 20, container 3, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 9
foreign-owned: 13 (Denmark 1, France 1, Greece 8, Jordan 2, Lebanon 1)
registered in other countries: 42 (Cambodia 4, Georgia 7, Honduras 2, Liberia 3, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 5, Panama 11, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Mediterranean Sea - Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said; Gulf of Suez - Suez
oil/gas terminal(s): Ain Sukhna terminal, Sidi Kerir terminal
container port(s) (TEUs): Alexandria (1,108,826), Port Said(East) (2,617,043), Port Said(West) (1,138,753)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Army, Navy, Egyptian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya il-Misriya), Egyptian Air Defense Command (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation - 18-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; voluntary enlistment possible from age 16 (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 21,012,199
females age 16-49: 20,145,021 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 18,060,543
females age 16-49: 17,244,838 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 783,405
female: 748,647 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.72% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 146
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sudan claims but Egypt de facto administers security and economic development of Halaib region north of the 22nd parallel boundary; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border; Saudi Arabia claims Egyptian-administered islands of Tiran and Sanafir
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 70,028 (West Bank and Gaza Strip); 12,124 (Sudan); 5,703 (Iraq) (2012); 7,957 (Somalia) (2013); 133,251 (Syria) (2014)
stateless persons: 60 (2012)