2011 Edition

Background

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. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. 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 with the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy 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 growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. Egyptian youth and opposition groups, inspired by events in Tunisia leading to overthrow of the government there, organized a "Day of Rage" campaign on 25 January 2011 (Police Day) to include non-violent demonstrations, marches, and labor strikes in Cairo and other cities throughout Egypt. Protester grievances focused on police brutality, state emergency laws, lack of free speech and elections, high unemployment, rising food prices, inflation, and low minimum wages. Within several days of the onset of protests, President MUBARAK addressed the nation pledging the formation of a new government, and in a second address he offered additional concessions, which failed to assuage protesters and resulted in an escalation of the number and intensity of demonstrations and clashes with police. On 11 February, recently appointed Vice President SULIMAN announced MUBARAK's resignation and the assumption of national leadership by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF). The SCAF dissolved the Egyptian parliament, suspended the nation's constitution, and formed a committee to recommend constitutional changes to facilitate a political transition through democratic elections. In early March, Essam SHARAF replaced Ahmed SHAFIK as Prime Minister and by mid-month a constitutional referendum was approved. In early July, the SCAF announced that elections for parliament would take place in September, but the date was later changed to November, and was to be followed by a redrafting of the constitution and a presidential election. In July 2011, opposition discontent over the slow pace of SCAF progress in transitioning the government led to a resumption of protests in Cairo and over a dozen other cities; less frequent, smaller demonstrations and protests continued through October. Following the arrest of MUBARAK and other high-ranking officials in mid-April, a trial in which MUBARAK is accused of corruption and complicity in the deaths of nearly 900 protesters began in early August, was temporarily suspended in September, and is scheduled to resume in late December. Elections for a new parliament were scheduled for late November 2011.

Area

1,001,450 sq km 995,450 sq km 6,000 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

Qattara Depression -133 m Mount Catherine 2,629 m

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; 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

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 none of the selected agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%) 923 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

923 cu m/yr (2000)

total

68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%)

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, 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

Irrigated land

35,300 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

2,665 km Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km

border countries

Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km

total

2,665 km

Land use

2.92% 0.5% 96.58% (2005)

arable land

2.92%

other

96.58% (2005)

permanent crops

0.5%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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; 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, rare earth elements, zinc

Terrain

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

Total renewable water resources

86.8 cu km (1997)

Age structure

32.7% (male 13,725,282/female 13,112,157) 62.8% (male 26,187,921/female 25,353,947) 4.5% (male 1,669,313/female 2,031,016) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

32.7% (male 13,725,282/female 13,112,157)

15-64 years

62.8% (male 26,187,921/female 25,353,947)

65 years and over

4.5% (male 1,669,313/female 2,031,016) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

24.63 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.8% (2008)

Death rate

4.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 98% of population total: 99% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 4% of population total: 1% of population (2008)

rural

4% of population

total

1% of population (2008)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census)

Health expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

11,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

25.2 deaths/1,000 live births 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births 23.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

23.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

25.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

72.66 years 70.07 years 75.38 years (2011 est.)

female

75.38 years (2011 est.)

total population

72.66 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 71.4% 83% 59.4% (2005 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

59.4% (2005 est.)

male

83%

total population

71.4%

Major cities - population

CAIRO (capital) 10.902 million; Alexandria 4.387 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever Rift Valley fever schistosomiasis 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 (2009)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

Rift Valley fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

82 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

24.3 years 24 years 24.6 years (2011 est.)

female

24.6 years (2011 est.)

male

24 years

total

24.3 years

Nationality

Egyptian(s) Egyptian

adjective

Egyptian

noun

Egyptian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

30.3% (2006)

Physicians density

2.83 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

82,079,636 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.96% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97% of population rural: 92% of population total: 94% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 8% of population total: 6% of population (2008)

rural

8% of population

total

6% of population (2008)

urban

3% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2004)

female

11 years (2004)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.83 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.97 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

24.8% 17.2% 47.9% (2007)

female

47.9% (2007)

total

24.8%

Urbanization

43.4% of total population (2010) 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

43.4% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Cairo 30 03 N, 31 15 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

30 03 N, 31 15 E

name

Cairo

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980, 25 May 2005, and 26 March 2007; note - constitution suspended by the military caretaker government 13 February 2011 and a new provisional constitution adopted 30 March 2011

Country name

Arab Republic of Egypt Egypt Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah Misr United Arab Republic (with Syria)

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Ann W. PATTERSON 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo [20] (2) 2797-3300 [20] (2) 2797-3200

chief of mission

Ambassador Ann W. PATTERSON

embassy

8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo

FAX

[20] (2) 2797-3200

mailing address

Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo

telephone

[20] (2) 2797-3300

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Sameh Hassan SHOUKRY 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 895-5400 [1] (202) 244-4319 Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco

chancery

3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Sameh Hassan SHOUKRY

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 244-4319

telephone

[1] (202) 895-5400

Executive branch

following the resignation of President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK in February 2011, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, headed by Defense Minister Muhammad Hussein TANTAWI, assumed control of the government president (vacant); vice president (vacant) Prime Minister Kamal Ahmad El-GANZOURI (since 25 November 2011) Prime Minister GANZOURI asked to form a new government on 27 November 2011 NA Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote - Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9%

cabinet

Prime Minister GANZOURI asked to form a new government on 27 November 2011

chief of state

president (vacant); vice president (vacant)

election results

Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote - Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9%

elections

NA

head of government

Prime Minister Kamal Ahmad El-GANZOURI (since 25 November 2011)

Note

following the resignation of President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK in February 2011, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, headed by Defense Minister Muhammad Hussein TANTAWI, assumed control of the government

Flag description

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) 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

Government type

republic

Independence

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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CICA, COMESA, D-8, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Constitutional Court

Legal system

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)

Legislative branch

bicameral system consists of the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (Shura Council) that traditionally functions mostly in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 members elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half of the elected members) and the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (518 seats; 508 members elected by popular vote, 64 seats reserved for women, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) Advisory Council - last held in June 2010 (next to be held in 2012); People's Assembly - last held in November-December 2010 in one round of voting and one run-off election (next to be held in 2015); note - on 13 February 2011 the ruling military council dissolved the parliament; new parliamentary elections to be held in late 2011 - early 2012 Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 80, Al-Geel 1, Nasserist 1, NWP 1, Tagammu 1, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 3; People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 419, NWP 6, Tagammu 5, Democratic Peace Party 1, Social Justice Party 1, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 71, seats undecided 4, seats appointed by president 10

election results

Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 80, Al-Geel 1, Nasserist 1, NWP 1, Tagammu 1, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 3; People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 419, NWP 6, Tagammu 5, Democratic Peace Party 1, Social Justice Party 1, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 71, seats undecided 4, seats appointed by president 10

elections

Advisory Council - last held in June 2010 (next to be held in 2012); People's Assembly - last held in November-December 2010 in one round of voting and one run-off election (next to be held in 2015); note - on 13 February 2011 the ruling military council dissolved the parliament; new parliamentary elections to be held in late 2011 - early 2012

National anthem

"Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland) Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH 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

lyrics/music

Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH

name

"Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland)

National holiday

Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)

National symbol(s)

golden eagle

Political parties and leaders

Al-Geel; Democratic Peace Party; Nasserist Party [Ahmed HASSAN]; National Democratic Party or NDP (governing party) [Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK]; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP [Sayed EL-BEDAWY]; Social Justice Party [Mohamed Abdel Al HASAN]; Tomorrow Party [Ayman NOUR] formation of political parties must be approved by the government; only parties with representation in elected bodies are listed

Political pressure groups and leaders

Muslim Brotherhood (technically illegal) despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties and political activity, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Egypt's most potentially significant political opposition; President MUBARAK has alternated between tolerating limited political activity by the Brotherhood and blocking its influence (its members compete as independents in elections but do not currently hold any seats in the legislature); civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; only trade unions and professional associations affiliated with the government are officially sanctioned; Internet social networking groups and bloggers

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$47.66 billion $65.05 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$65.05 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$47.66 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.68% (31 December 2010 est.) 8.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.008% (31 December 2010 est.) 11.975% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$4.435 billion (2010 est.) -$3.195 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$34.91 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $35.37 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.4 (2001)

Economy - overview

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. The global financial crisis slowed the reform efforts. The budget deficit climbed to over 8% of GDP and Egypt's GDP growth slowed to 4.6% in 2009, predominately due to reduced growth in export-oriented sectors, including manufacturing and tourism, and Suez Canal revenues. In 2010, the government spent more on infrastructure and public projects, and exports drove GDP growth to more than 5%, but GDP growth in 2011 is unlikely to bounce back to pre-global financial recession levels, when it stood at 7%. Despite the relatively high levels of economic growth over the past few years, living conditions for the average Egyptian remain poor.

Electricity - consumption

109.1 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.022 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

896 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

123.9 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.6124 (2010) 5.545 (2009) 5.4 (2008) 5.67 (2007) 5.725 (2006)

Exports

$25.02 billion (2010 est.) $23.09 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 7.6%, Italy 7.3%, India 6.1%, Spain 5.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, France 4.7%, Libya 4% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

14% 37.5% 48.3% (2010 est.)

agriculture

14%

industry

37.5%

services

48.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,200 (2010 est.) $6,000 (2009 est.) $5,900 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2010 est.) 4.7% (2009 est.) 7.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$218.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$497.8 billion (2010 est.) $473.4 billion (2009 est.) $452.3 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.9% 27.6% (2005)

highest 10%

27.6% (2005)

lowest 10%

3.9%

Imports

$51.54 billion (2010 est.) $45.56 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 11.8%, China 10.4%, Germany 6.5%, Italy 6.4%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

4.4% (2010 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

11.1% (2010 est.) 11.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

26.2 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

32% 17% 51% (2001 est.)

agriculture

32%

industry

17%

services

51% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$82.49 billion (31 December 2010) $89.95 billion (31 December 2009) $85.89 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

44.37 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

18.32 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

62.69 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.186 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

740,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

163,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

177,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

662,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

4.4 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

20% (2005 est.)

Public debt

81.4% of GDP (2010 est.) 83.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$35.79 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $33.93 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$168.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $158.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$5.448 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.272 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$73.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $66.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$141.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $136.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$38.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $35.91 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

9% (2010 est.) 9.4% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.eg

Internet hosts

187,197 (2010)

Internet users

20.136 million (2009)

Telephone system

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 largest fixed-line system in the region; as of 2010 there were three mobile-cellular networks with a total of more than 55 million subscribers 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 (2009)

domestic

largest fixed-line system in the region; as of 2010 there were three mobile-cellular networks with a total of more than 55 million subscribers

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

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 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

9.618 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

70.661 million (2010)

Airports

86 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

5 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

15

2,438 to 3,047 m

36

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

15

total

73

under 914 m

5 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

4 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

13

under 914 m

4 (2010)

Heliports

6 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 11, cargo 24, container 3, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 9 13 (Denmark 1, France 1, Greece 8, Jordan 2, Lebanon 1) 52 (Cambodia 12, Cook Islands 1, Georgia 11, Honduras 2, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 5, Panama 11, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

13 (Denmark 1, France 1, Greece 8, Jordan 2, Lebanon 1)

registered in other countries

52 (Cambodia 12, Cook Islands 1, Georgia 11, Honduras 2, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 5, Panama 11, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 1) (2010)

total

66

Pipelines

condensate 320 km; condensate/gas 13 km; gas 6,628 km; liquid petroleum gas 956 km; oil 4,332 km; oil/gas/water 3 km; refined products 895 km; water 13 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Ayn Sukhnah, Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said, Sidi Kurayr, Suez

Railways

5,083 km 5,083 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2010)

total

5,083 km

Roadways

65,050 km 47,500 km 17,550 km (2009)

total

65,050 km

unpaved

17,550 km (2009)

Waterways

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) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

21,012,199 20,145,021 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

20,145,021 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

21,012,199

Manpower fit for military service

18,060,543 17,244,838 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

17,244,838 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

18,060,543

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

783,405 748,647 (2010 est.)

female

748,647 (2010 est.)

male

783,405

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command

Military expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation 12-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation (2008)

Disputes - international

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

Illicit drugs

transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations

Refugees and internally displaced persons

60,000 - 80,000 (Iraq); 70,198 (Palestinian Territories); 12,157 (Sudan) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

60,000 - 80,000 (Iraq); 70,198 (Palestinian Territories); 12,157 (Sudan) (2007)