Country
Countries A-Z
Egypt
Arab Republic of Egypt
Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
Political Status: Nominally independent in 1922; republic established in 1953; joined with Syria as the United Arab Republic in 1958 and retained the name after Syria withdrew in 1961; present name adopted September 2, 1971; under limited multiparty system formally adopted by constitutional amendment approved in referendum of May 22, 1980.
Area: 386,659 sq. mi. (1,001,449 sq. km.).
Population: 72,580,653 (2006C); 75,260,000 (2008E), excluding Egyptian nationals living abroad.
Major Urban Centers (2005E): AL-QAHIRA (Cairo, 8,090,000), al-Giza (5,957,000), al-Iskandariyah (Alexandria, 3,990,000), Es-Suweis (Suez, 688,000), Bur Said (Port Said, 562,000).
Official Language: Arabic.
Monetary Unit: Egyptian Pound (market rate December 1, 2009: 5.47 pounds = $1US).
President: Muhammad Husni MUBARAK (National Democratic Party); appointed vice president on April 15, 1975; succeeded to the presidency upon the assassination of ...