The Giza pyramids are just some of the oldest pyramids in the world. contains directions for the oldest known. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. 15 Cool Facts About Titan Moon. They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores! These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss. The birth expectancy rate is about 2.97 kids per woman. By virtue of area, Egypt is the 30th biggest country in the world. Located in an ancient burial ground called Saqqara, the Step Pyramid is the oldest known pyramid in Egypt and was built around 2630 BC. 2Deary, Terry. Accessed: April 18, 2011. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. 8l Slackman, Michael. In 1882, Britain took control of Egypt after defeating the Egyptian army before making Egypt a British protectorate in 1914. Fast Fun Egypt Facts The capital city of Egypt is Cairo and it is the largest city in Egypt. We've got. This puts strain on Egypts resources, since most people live in a narrow strip of land along the Nile River. The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound. 40. Theres so much to know about this amazing place, but it would be impossible to list it all here! Most of the Land in Egypt Is Unused. Isis wrapped him in bandages and he came back to life as the, Mud was pushed under the mummys skin to pad it out. The official language is Modern Standard Arabic. 40 Facts About Egypt: For Kids, Fun Facts About Egypt, Sports, Nature, Food, Culture, Continent & More eBook : Publishing, Grant: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store But this was incompatible with the true solar year which so to solve this, the Egyptians added five extra days to the year. Source: Britannica, 28. 23. Nearly 10 million people choose to live in Cairo! Usually shown as a mummy, holding a scepter, and wearing a white crown with plumes and horns. One of the best things to do in Egypt is enjoy a Nile River Cruise! By virtue of area, Egypt is the 30th biggest country in the world. Thanks! The renowned statue of liberty was intended to be installed in the land of the Pharaohs (Egypt). If you are traveling Egypt seeing this is must do! 9) Love playing board games with your pals? Cleopatra is a famous figure in ancient Egyptian history, but contrary to popular belief, she wasnt Egyptian at all! One popular game was Senet, which was played for over 2,000 years! Often has the head of a hawk with a sun disk and two plumes on top. Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest and most fascinating civilisations in human history. 29. Around 3100 B.C., the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under a powerful king, later called a pharaoh. 9Malek, Jaromir. If the Great Pyramid were chopped into 12-inch cubes, there would be enough cubes to circle the, Early pharaohs were buried with their real servants. Her mom is believed to be Cleopatra V Tryphaena, the king's spouse (and presumably his half-sister). Following the construction of the Aswan high dam, the fertile silt settled in Lake Nasser. Aged over 5000 years, the oldest dress in the world is found in Egypt. 1. The most interesting facts about Egypt, from the most visited country in Africa to one of the worlds most iconic landmarks, Official name: Arab Republic of EgyptPopulation: 106,437,241Area: 1,001,450 sq kmCapital city: CairoMajor languages: Arabic, English, FrenchMajor religions: Islam Time zone: UTC+2 (Egypt Standard Time) Source: CIA World Fact Book, 1. Here are some interesting Egypt facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. The country has 386,662 square miles of land and is the 30th largest country in the world by land mass. About 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslim, which means they are followers of the. People in ancient Egypt believed in the afterlife. 9. The official language of Egypt is Arabic, but some people also speak other languages like French and English. The amount of income tax in Egypt is 25%. Trending 40 Interesting and Surprising Nigeria Facts . 35. The ancient Egyptians believed that the floods were caused by the tears of the goddess Isis. had the longest reign in history94 years. October 8, 1973. It ranks 21st in the world, with an average of more than 20.14 million internet users. The eye paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead).As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too! It means great house because everyone believed the kings. Yes, you read that correctly. The oldest prosthetic limb in the world was discovered in Egypt. There are so many places to visit in Egypt! Of all the Arab countries, Egypt is the only one that has a movie industry. The Persians were aware of the Egyptians' reverence for cats and used it to their advantage. 42. Egypt is filled with ancient pyramids and ancient mysteries. explore and learn delivered straight to your inbox. 03 The Ancient Egyptians used either grain or copper or silver as currency. She loves to be outside, hiking in the mountains, playing in the snow on her snowboard, and biking. It is divided into 27 Governorates. Egypt has a horizontally striped red, white and black flag with a gold hawk in the centre. - Source: Britannica 2. The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board. Will scientific evidence unearth an ancient secret? The ancient Egyptians were considered extremely powerful in all aspects, including government, arts, writing and religion. The famous Great Pyramid at Giza was built as a burial place for King Khufu (2589-2566 B.C.) Egypt is a transcontinental country that spans the southwest corner of Asia and the northeast corner of Africa by means of a land bridge that is formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt has a population of an estimated 91% Egyptian ethnicity. Other foods served on the meal include beans, couscous, rice, and fruits. Youve likely seen depictions of Pharaohs in books or on television, but have you ever wondered what the significance of the Cobra on their crown is? Egypt is in the process of relocating its capital city 45km (28 miles) away from Cairo to a brand new purpose-built city. With over 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, Islam is the second most popular religion. 1. The Egyptian mummies were found to contain traces of cocaine and nicotine. The Egyptian calendar was invested more than a few thousand years before the Common Era. The Great Cholula also has a volume of 4.3 million cubic yards, while the Great Pyramid has a volume of 3.3 million yards. 52. 25 Facts About ANCIENT EGYPT | 25 FACTS Colossal Cranium 452K subscribers Subscribe 3.9M views 6 years ago The pyramids! We love getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations and arent afraid to go it alone. Egypts geography, population, history and military strength have made it highly influential in the region. He has an animal head with a long curved snout. With more than 120,000 ancient artifacts, The Egyptian Museum is a must on any trip to Cairo. 10) The Ancient Egyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and believe it or not toothpaste! The Nile is the second-longest river on earth, running 4,100 miles from Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea. Northern Egypt has wide valleys near the Nile, and desert to the east and west. 2) The afterlife was incredibly important to the Egyptians. That's because the Egyptian hieroglyphs don't include any vowels. Triangular in shape, the Sinai Peninsula has an area of 23,500 square miles (61,000 square kilometers) and spans across two continents, Africa and Asia. One of the top attractions in Hanoi is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Egypt is known for their two major deserts, the Libyan and the Sahara desert. Egypt's national animal is the Steppe eagle. Earlier in ancient Egyptian history, when a pharaoh died, it was common practice to have their live servants buried with them so they could continue to serve their master in the afterlife. Ancient Egyptians believed they were made from clay on a potters wheel by the river. The British stayed until Egypt declared independence in 1952. They learned to grow crops and raise animals, and they began to build villages and towns. Yikes! Ra, Osiris, Isis, Set, Horus, and Anubis are some of the most famous Egyptian gods. The great pyramid is big enough to cover the moon up to three times if it was chopped into 12 cubes. Modern Egypt Image Egyptian protestors focused on lack of free speech and free. The sun played such an important role in everyday life that the shape of the pyramids was inspired by it. 33. The United States is 124th with 2.06 children per woman. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. While most of the photos we see of Pharaohs show them sporting beards, the reality is they preferred a clean-shaven face. The rest of Egypt is largely covered by the Sahara Desert. Egypt is the most visited country in Africa receiving over 13 million tourists a year. Source:UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 29. The earliest of the pyramids is built in the form of steps. Be sure to check if your parent or guardian is okay with this first. 21. Cradles of Civilization: Egypt. The Great Pyramid at Giza has vents pointing to the constellation of Orion so the mummys spirit could fly straight up to the gods. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. 40 Amazing Facts About Egypt. An Arab proverb captures the pyramids endurance: Man fears Time, yet Time fears the pyramids. The other six wonders are (1) the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, (2) the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, (3) the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, (4) the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, (5) the Colossus of Rhodes, and (6) the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Some of the stone blocks used to build many of Egypt's temples are believed to weigh more than 50 tonnes. 17. 3. Egypt Facts55 Facts about Egypt. This fasting includes mainly vegan meals and excludes any meat, chicken, or dairy products, but this long period of fasting will lead to a very big and delicious meal . what useful information about the big toe! It is still not known exactly how this was done. Known for building the world-famous pyramids and mummifying their dead, the Ancient Egyptian empire offered a more advanced form of living and a new way of life for thousands of people. Wife of Osiris; guardian and magician. They were trained to catch bad guys! New York, NY: Infobase Publishing, 2010. Egypt is often divided into two sections . Get messy, explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home! Much of the rest of the land is desert and can get very hot . 2. The eye paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead). It ranks higher than Iraq and Saudi Arabia which ranks 2nd and 3rd respectively. February 21, 2011. Senet was the most popular game and was played for more than 2,000 years but there were also Mehen and Dogs and Jackals. 44. Over four million mummies with the shape of a stork-like bird (Ibis) have been unearthed by scientists in Egypt's Western Desert. It is said that even female Pharaohs wore these fake beards! Planning a trip to Egypt or just want to know more about the country? Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. Here are 10 interesting facts about Egypt. - Gustave Flaubert, Flaubert in Egypt: A Sensibility on Tour. 41. The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the countrys north coast.Southern Egypts landscape contains low mountains and desert. Hieroglyphs were developed about 3,000 B.C. Cairo gets its name from the Arabic al-Qahira which means the victorious. Source: CIA World Fact Book, 24. Many people love their cats but Egyptians took their love to another level! It is bordered by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Red Sea to the east and south, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. Later, it was known as Hwt-ka-Ptah or House of the Ka of Ptah. Ptah was one of Egypts earliest gods. Often has the hieroglyph of her name on her head. The first person in Egypt identified by name (Mery) for tax evasion was sentenced to 100 blows for his crime. In an attempt to control the annual flooding of the Nile, one of the largest dams in the world was built in Egypt in 1971: Aswan High Dam. Islam is the dominant religion in Cairo. Ancient Egypts Fantastic and Weird History, Egyptian Women Protesters Forced to Take Virginity Tests, Enormous Statue of Powerful Pharaoh Unearthed, Meet My Daughter Facebook: How One Egyptian Father Is Commemorating the Part the Social Network Played in Revolution, Female Circumcision Focus of Ferocious Debate in Egypt, Angelina Jolie Goes Greek as Cleopatra but Some Dont Like It, 100 Interesting Facts That Will Amaze You. The Great Pyramid of Giza is around 4,500 years old making it the oldest of the ancient worlds seven wonders. 3. Osiris, the God of the Dead. 8) Cats were considered sacred animals by the Ancient Egyptians. Egypt's pyramids are the second largest on earth. OFFICIAL NAME: Arab Republic of EgyptFORM OF GOVERNMENT: RepublicCAPITAL: CairoPOPULATION:87, 562, 261OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: ArabicMONEY: Egyptian pound, guinayAREA: 1,001,449 square kilometresMAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Eastern HighlandsMAJOR RIVER: NileFLAG: Without theNile River, all of Egypt would be desert. Tourism is a major economic activity in Egypt, accounting for about 12% of the country's workforce. and was replaced by Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. The Pyramids were built to have smooth, angled sides, symbolizing the rays of the Sun; their distinct design was a way to help the kings soul ascend to heaven and join the gods, particularly the Sun god Ra. Required fields are marked *. She is the color of plants and Nile mud. , one of the oldest branches of the Christian religion. Unfortunately, the rich silt that normally fertilized the dry Egyptian land settled in Lake Nasser after the building of the dam, forcing farmers to use one million tons of artificial fertilizer every year. When this happens, floods cover the rivers valleys, leaving sediments needed for trees, plants and crops to grow.Egypt is often divided into two sections Upper Egyptin the south andLower Egyptin the north. Historians think that they were built by farmers and other labourers during the flooding season, and were paid for their hard work. The official language is Arabic. There were three female pharaohs, of whom the greatest was Hatshepsut (reigned 1498-1483 B.C.). They also invented clocks. Read on to learn about the Egypt of today. 57. Men have a literacy rate of 83% while women lag behind at 59.4%. The real cause, however, was the heavy rains and melting snow to the south near the source of the Nile. Thanks for point me to it! The museum is more than 100 years old so its had plenty of time to accumulate some of the worlds most amazing collections, housing artifacts of great importance including a room dedicated to the actual mummies of some of the great Pharaohs. The second fact is that the Orthodox Christians in Egypt start to fast for a period of 43 days starting from the 25th of Nov before celebrating christ's birth on the 7th of Jan. 2017 - Serious Facts All Rights Reserved. Scholars believe the Egyptian symbol called the ankh is the origin of the much later Christian cross. Safety . For 3000 years it was the breadbasket for much of the Mediterranean world. 27. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. Population: 104 million people live in Egypt (2021) Capital: Cairo with 21 million inhabitants. These facts will help you appreciate why Egypt is a great place that is worth visiting. Did Cleopatra really die from a snake bite? Most economic activity takes place along the Nile River Valley, where the . Accessed: April 24, 2011. Although I didnt find this one fun 91% of Egyptian women aged between 15 and 49 years have undergone female genital mutilation. The ancient Egyptians were possibly the first to embrace a mainly solar calendar. 1. 2. The ancient Egyptians worshipped more than 1,000 different gods and goddesses. They believed that by preserving a dead person's body their soul would live on in the afterlife forever. Ancient Egyptians tried filtering it with wheat and other grains even when boiling wouldnt get the water clean enough for consumption. Approximately 99% of the population lives on about 5.5% of the land. 2. . 9. The Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. Today, 95% of Egypts population still live within a few kilometres of the Nile. Love ancient history? 23 Surprising Facts About Spain. 18 Interesting Facts About Mushrooms. We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. For this reason, Egyptian farmers annually use over a million tonnes of artificial fertilizer. The Red Sea borders Egypts east coast for 750 miles and has been designated a nature reserve for millions of species including coral reefs. He named the capital of the united lands Memphis, which means Balance of Two Lands. Legend says he ruled for 60 years until he was killed by a hippopotamus. We rounded up the most bizarre and interesting facts about Ancient Egypt that will answer all the questions you ever had about this incredible civilization and more. The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. One of the most interesting facts about Egypt! If you book or buy something through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The ancient Egyptians were the first people to have a year consisting of 365 days divided into 12 months. It was used to predict when the Nile River would flood. The longest river in the world, the Nile, runs through Egypt. Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age. The city of Cairo boasts varied cultures and social classes under a robust natural environment. Her full name is Facebook Jamal Ibrahim. Compared to many other countries in the world, Egypt has a high literacy rate. The British stayed until Egypt declared independence in 1952. We are looking to become the #1 facts source on the Internet and we are on our way. It signifies the Cobra Goddess and the legend is that she protects the Pharaoh by spitting fire at enemies. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. The colours represent oppression (black), bloody struggle (red) and a bright future (white). The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is its official currency. Source: History Channel, 10. i also wantd to thank you, it helped me for a preentation that i already have it. The red color is a representation of the struggle against the British colonialists before their independence. Namesake. One of the longest rivers in the world runs through Egypt, the River Nile; its 4,258 miles (6,853kilometers) long! You can imagine there are so many interesting facts about Egypt to know. Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike! The Ancient Egyptian civilization spanned more than 3,000 years. He had eight official wives and nearly 100 concubines. Giraffe tails were also seen as symbols of authority, Khnum was one of the earliest Egyptian deities, Because young scarab beetles seemed to emerge spontaneously from their burrows, ancient Egyptians called them "Khepera," which means "he was came forth", Egyptologists believe that the ankh may represent a combination of male and female essences, Egyptian women risked their lives to lead protests and actively particpate in the 2011 revolution, Important Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. 51. The famous pyramid of Giza has some passageways that have never been explored. is often considered the greatest pharaoh (great house) of the Egyptian empire. The UNESCO-listed Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) in Egypt is home to the fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, species of whale. The fertility rate in Egypt is 2.97 children per woman, which is the 66th highest fertility rate in the world. Pharaoh Pepi II (2246-2152 B.C.) Share them in the comments below! Until 2005, there was never more than one presidential candidate to vote for. The surprisingly eventually led to the fall of Mubarak and the first democratically elected president in Egypt, but also further instability, military intervention and fresh protests. Source: BBC News, The Guardian, 19. Ancient Egypt facts for kids. The United States is 50th, with a life expectancy of 78.37 years. Egypt ranks 124th in the world in terms of life expectancy. One Female Pharaoh Wore a Fake Beard Hatshepsut was an Egyptian pharaoh. Of course, we now know that the flooding is caused by heavy rains and melting snow. I admit, the latter is probably not one of the most surprising Egypt interesting facts. It is the capital city of Egypt and the largest at that- however, Memphis was the capital city of Egypt during the Early Dynastic Period which fell between 3,100 and 2,686 BC. Without the Nile River, ancient Egyptians wouldnt have gotten much done! The bread that Egyptians once ate was so hard and course that it chipped at the teeth to the point of wearing them down. Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. Nestled in the heart of bustling Cairo, you can step back in time and experience market life that has remained unchanged for eons. Goddess of war and hunting. Female circumcision is illegal in Egypt, except in cases of a medical emergency. Here are 10 interesting facts about Egypt. Since the early 1800s, cotton has been famously harvested in Egypt and what a fine cotton it is! Egypt is known for its oldest and longest history among the modern nations. The result was something clean and tasty to drink that got you a little tipsy too. Egypt has the oldest prosthetic limb in the world. Approximately 90% of Egyptians are Muslim (primarily Sunni), 9% are Coptic, and 1% is Christian. He became king when he was just six years old. Source: Guinness World Records, 11. Home Destinations Africa Egypt 35 Fun and Interesting Facts About Egypt. North ofCairo(Egypts capital city) is the sprawling, triangularNile River Delta. 7Hartley-Parkinson, Richard. There are no cities with more people in the whole of Africa. Discover the treasures of Ancient Egypts most famous pharaoh. 6. The Sahara Desert at one time was lush grassland and savannah. Egypt is part of an area known as the Fertile Crescent, also known as the Cradle of Civilization. With a total estimate of about 92.1 million people, Egypt is the largest Arab country in the world. All rights reserved. Check out these interesting facts about Ancient Egypt. Landslides, Flash floods, and droughts are some of the natural disasters that affect the people of Egypt. Work in Egypt. This article may contain affiliate links. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and will receive emails from us about news, offers, activities and partner offers. It is 5,000 years old. The world's oldest D20 dice was found in Egypt. 35 Facts About Mexico That Will Blow Your Mind, 29 Facts About Singapore That Will Blow Your Mind. In an attempt to conquer the frequent annual flooding of the river Nile, Egypt has one of the largest manmade dams: Aswan high dam. General Editor. 56. Egypt's main exports include cotton, aluminum, food products, and oil. Visitors are expected to take off their shoes before going into religious buildings. White represents the 1952 revolution that ended the monarchy without a war, while black symbolizes the oppression of the Egyptian under the British rule. 2. Linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal is controlled by Egypt. Yet mummification was an expensive and time-consuming process, reserved for the more wealthy members of society. Youre leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website! There are more than 700 symbols in this ancient language that was once used to document history and communicate. By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. It was a wooden toe that was fitted for a woman who lived around 1000 BC. Gypsy is a short name for Egyptian. Egypt is known for its oldest and longest history among the modern nations. She is an expert in travel, budgeting, and finding unique experiences. Ramadan is a national celebration that runs for a whole month and is held annually. Join Max the time-travelling mouse in our Mini Histories Comic. 44. Source: Britannica, CIA World Fact Book, 7. Required fields are marked *. Given their nature, these posts are research-based and even though a lot of time has gone into them, it's still possible a mistake has snuck in. 05 Egypt's time zone is GMT+2. Egypt is the 15th country with the highest population in the world, with 99% of the country's people living on just 5.5% of the land. In this country, the amount of income tax for individuals is 22.5%, and for companies 22.5% (2018). The country's capital city is Cairo. June 19, 2010. 34. In ancient Egypt, death was seen as just a stepping stone in a persons life. To prepare someone for this next step, they employed a very complex process to preserve and prepare the body so that the soul would move smoothly into the next life. 42. Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including jackals, gazelles, crocodiles, and cobras. Accessed: May 5, 2011. However, no one knows the reason behind that conclusion. The first pyramid built is considered to be the pyramid of Djoser, built about 2600 BC, while the most famous is the pyramid of Cheops (see interesting facts about the pyramid of Cheops). The rivers total length is 6,695km (4,160 miles) and runs from as far away as Burundi and Lake Victoria in East Africa all the way to the Mediterranean in North Africa. Source:Guinness World Records, National Geographic, 14. [3] The famous Great Pyramid at Giza was built as a burial place for King Khufu (2589-2566 B.C.) The worlds oldest dress is from Egypt. In ancient Egypt, people would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning when their cats passed away. There are about 2,060 square kilometers of unclaimed land in the border between Sudan and Egypt. Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Ancient Egypt primary resource? 1. 04 There are 100 people in Egypt for every square kilometer of land. Hieroglyphs were used only for ritual purposes and official inscriptions. Usually has the head of an unidentified animal. By day, The White Desert National Park is a beautiful desert landscape far from the crowds of any city. 1Cline, Eric H and Jill Rubalcaba. In fact, Sudan has more ancient pyramids than Egypt. The Egyptian bread is special for it is made of barley, corn, or rice. They traded with their neighbours and learned to sail boats. 3. The average life expectancy is 72.66 years, with males living for about 70.07 years while the female range at 75.38 years. Sometimes pictured as a goose, but most often represented as a man. The official religion of Egypt is Islam. A few millennia back, ancient Egypt was one of the richest and most powerful civilizations in the world. The ancient Egyptian calendar was a solar calendar with a 365-day year. The Great Sphinx of Egypt, which is believed to have been built during the Old Kingdom during the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558 - 2532 BC). , which linked the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and greatly shortened the sailing trip from Asia to Europe. March 24, 2011. For the ancient Egyptians, the world began when Atum-Ra (the, The 2011 Egyptian revolution began on January 25th.