Introduction
Background
The 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 in Egypt. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. Egypt has been ruled by many nations, becoming independent in 1952.
Geography
Area
total : 1,001,450 sq km
land: 995,450 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Climate
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc
People and Society
Population
total: 111,247,248
Ethnic groups
Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official); English and French widely understood by educated classes
Religions
Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10%
Population growth rate
1.49% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Cairo
Executive branch
chief of state: President Abdel Fattah EL-SISI (since 8 June 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Mostafa MADBOULY (since 7 June 2018)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (300 seats) and the House of Representatives (596 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Motaz Mounir ZAHRAN (since 17 September 2020)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Herro MUSTAFA GARG (since 15 November 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
Africa’s second-largest economy; 2030 Vision to diversify markets and energy infrastructure; improving fiscal, external, and current accounts; underperforming private sector; poor labor force participation; expanded credit access
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.912 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.842 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.729 trillion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$17,000 (2023 est.)
$16,600 (2022 est.)
$15,800 (2021 est.)
Exports
$76.295 billion (2022 est.)
$58.339 billion (2021 est.)
$40.102 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Turkey 8%, Italy 6%, US 6%, Spain 6%, India 5% (2022)
Exports - commodities
natural gas, fertilizers, garments, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2022)
Imports
$97.144 billion (2022 est.)
$94.039 billion (2021 est.)
$72.482 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
China 17%, US 7%, Saudi Arabia 7%, UAE 6%, Turkey 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, wheat, crude petroleum, natural gas, plastics (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, October 01, 2024
