2000 Edition

Background

Nominally independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. 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) will continue to stress Egyptian society and overtax resources as the country enters the new millennium.

Area

land

995,450 sq km

total

1,001,450 sq km

water

6,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico

Climate

desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

Coastline

2,450 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mount Catherine 2,629 m

lowest point

Qattara Depression -133 m

Environment - current issues

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; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resources

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates

27 00 N, 30 00 E

Geography - note

controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics

Irrigated land

32,460 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km

total

2,689 km

Land use

arable land

2%

forests and woodland

0%

other

98% (1993 est.)

permanent crops

0%

permanent pastures

0%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc

Terrain

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

Age structure

0-14 years: 35% (male 12,260,343; female 11,701,253) 15-64 years: 61% (male 21,111,615; female 20,714,511) 65 years and over: 4% (male 1,131,760; female 1,440,497) (2000 est.)

Birth rate

25.38 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

7.83 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups

Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%

Infant mortality rate

62.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

Life expectancy at birth

female

65.47 years (2000 est.)

male

61.29 years

total population

63.33 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

38.8% (1995 est.)

male

63.6%

total population

51.4%

Nationality

adjective

Egyptian

noun

Egyptian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

68,359,979 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

1.72% (2000 est.)

Religions

Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.15 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Administrative divisions

26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj

Capital

Cairo

Constitution

11 September 1971

Country name

conventional long form

Arab Republic of Egypt

conventional short form

Egypt

former

United Arab Republic (with Syria)

local long form

Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

local short form

Misr

Data code

EG

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER

embassy

(North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City, Cairo

mailing address

Unit 64900, APO AE 09839-4900

telephone

(2) 3557371

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Nabil FAHMY

telephone

(202) 895-5400

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981)

election results

national referendum validated President MUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a fourth term

elections

president nominated by the People's Assembly for a six-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national, popular referendum; national referendum last held 26 September 1999 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Atef OBEID (since 5 October 1999)

FAX

(202) 244-4319, 5131

(2) 3573200

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band

Government type

republic

Independence

28 February 1922 (from UK)

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Constitutional Court

Legal system

based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve NA-year terms)

election results

People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NDP 72%, independents 25%, opposition 3%; seats by party - NDP 317, independents 114, NWP 6, NPUG 5, Nasserist Arab Democratic Party 1, LSP 1; Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats by party - NA

elections

People's Assembly - last held 29 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 2000); Advisory Council - last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA)

National holiday

Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Unionist Party [Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK]; Green Party ; Misr al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party) ; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party [Dia' al-din DAWUD]; National Democratic Party or NDP [President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader] - governing party; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or NPUG ; New Wafd Party or NWP ; Social Justice Party ; Socialist Labor Party or SLP ; Socialist Liberal Party or LSP ; Umma Party

note

formation of political parties must be approved by government

Political pressure groups and leaders

despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but has moved more aggressively in the past six years to block its influence; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; fish

Budget

expenditures

$22.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99)

revenues

$20.7 billion

Currency

1 Egyptian pound = 100 piasters

Debt - external

$30 billion (1999 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $2.25 billion (1999)

Economy - overview

A series of IMF arrangements - coupled with massive external debt relief resulting from Egypt's participation in the Gulf war coalition - helped Egypt improve its macroeconomic performance during the 1990s. Through sound fiscal and monetary policies, Cairo tamed inflation, slashed budget deficits, and built up foreign reserves. Although the pace of structural reforms - such as privatization and new business legislation - has been slower than the IMF envisioned, Egypt's steps toward a more market-oriented economy have prompted increased foreign investment. Lower combined hard currency inflows - from tourism, worker remittances, oil revenues, and Suez Canal tolls - in 1998 and the first half of 1999 resulted in pressure on the Egyptian pound and sporadic dollar shortages, but external payments were not in crisis. Despite ample reserves, the Central Bank did not provide sufficient hard currency to commercial banks and Cairo restricted imports for a short period; these developments confirmed to some investors and currency traders that government financial operations lack sufficient coordination and openness. Monetary pressures have since eased, however, with the continued oil price recovery starting in mid-1999 and a moderate rebound in tourism. Increased gas exports are a major plus factor in future growth.

Electricity - consumption

53.754 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

57.8 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

78.72%

hydro

21.28%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (1998)

Exchange rates

Egyptian pounds per US$1 - market rate - 3.4050 (January 2000), 3.4050 (1999), 3.3880 (1998), 3.3880 (1997), 3.3880 (1996), 3.3900 (1995)

Exports

$4.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals

Exports - partners

EU 47%, US 14%, Turkey 8% (1998)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP

purchasing power parity - $200 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

17%

industry

32%

services

51% (1999)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,000 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 26.7% (1991)

Imports

$15.8 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels

Imports - partners

EU 42%, US 16%, Japan 5% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate

5% (1999 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.7% (1999)

Labor force

19 million (1999 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 40%, services 38%, industry 22% (1990 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

11.8% (1999 est.)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

31 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 42 (plus 15 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999)

Radios

20.5 million (1997)

Telephone system

large system by Third World standards but inadequate for present requirements and undergoing extensive upgrading; Internet access available

domestic

principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel and a signatory to Project Oxygen (a global submarine fiber-optic cable system)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.168 million (1996)

Telephones - mobile cellular

380,000 (1999)

Television broadcast stations

51 (September 1995)

Televisions

7.7 million (1997)

Airports

90 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

71 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (1999 est.)

Heliports

2 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

49,984 km

total

64,000 km

unpaved

14,016 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

bulk 25, cargo 63, container 1, liquified gas 1, passenger 57, petroleum tanker 14, roll-on/roll-off 16, short-sea passenger 3 (1999 est.)

total

180 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,348,148 GRT/2,014,483 DWT

Pipelines

crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km

Ports and harbors

Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez

Railways

standard gauge

4,955 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 1,560 km double track)

total

4,955 km

Waterways

3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km (including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$3.28 billion (FY95/96)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

8.2% (FY95/96)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 18,164,353 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 11,766,949 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

704,373 (2000 est.)

Disputes - international

Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899

Illicit drugs

a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian couriers

EL SALVADOR