Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country located in North Africa and the Sinai Peninsula of Asia and is therefore a country of two continents. The total area of Egypt comprises 1 million square kilometers; the population is more than 88 million people.

In the north-east Egypt borders Israel and the Gaza Strip, in the south – Sudan, in the west – Libya. In the north Egypt is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in the east – by the Red Sea. The seas are connected by the man-made Suez Canal. The capital of the country is Cairo. The official language is Egyptian Arabic.

Most Egypt’s terrain is desert with a few oases. The climate is hot, dry and sunny. The coastal climate is softened by Mediterranean winds.

The national currency is the Egyptian pound. All major credit cards are widely accepted. Most cities and towns have ATMs. You can exchange money at banks (where exchange rates are better), official bureaux de change outlets and most hotels.

What do you associate Egypt with? – Certainly, with pyramids, giant temples, huge statues, ancient fortresses, obelisks and bas-reliefs, hot springs, a unique white desert containing many notable places, as well as fantastic coral reefs and colorful tropical fish.

Those who come to Egypt to bask in the sun will be absolutely satisfied with Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurgada with their numerous sandy beaches, lots of comfortable hotels and perfect diving opportunities. Cheaper accommodation can be found in Dahab, which also offers perfect opportunities for windsurfing, rock climbing, scuba diving and desert trekking.

History enthusiasts should visit Alexandria, founded 23 centuries ago by Alexander the Great and still holding many cultural attractions; Siwa Oasis, where you can see ancient fortresses built of mud; Dahshur, a necropolis where the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, built 4 thousand years ago, can be seen; Aswan, with the Sun Temple of Ramses II and the temples of Philae and Kabasha; Luxor, attracting by the ancient royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the ancient temples of Karnak and Luxor; and, of course, the Giza necropolis, with the world famous pyramids and the Sphinx. In Cairo do not miss the chance to visit Al-Azhar Mosque, the Enlightened Mosque and Sultan Qalawun Mosque – perfect examples of Islamic architecture.

Nature lovers will be glad to see the White Desert, whose landscapes resemble an alien planet; the Black Desert, featuring black rocks and volcanic hills; the fantastic Desert Breath and the amazing Lake Qarun.

El Nouzha Airport or Alexandria International Airport (ALY), Alexandria

Aswan International Airport (ASW), Aswan

Cairo International Airport (CAI), the busiest airport of Egypt, located near Cairo.

El Arish International Airport (AAC), El Arish

Hurghada International Airport (HRG), Hurghada

Luxor International Airport (LXR), Luxor

Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF), Marsa Alam

Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH), Sharm el-Sheikh

St. Catherine International Airport (SKV), Saint Katherine city

Taba International Airport (TCP), Taba

The Red Sea is a real treasury for divers. Where else will you find so many gorgeous reefs, perfect visibility, millions of fish, towers, sheltered reefs, coral gardens, pinnacles, walls and wrecks?

Off Farun Island you can go wall diving and enjoy colorful corals, teeming with breams, batfish, moray eels and frogfish – and endemic marine species.

The marine reserve of Giftun Island can boast precipitous drop offs, amazing coral reefs and abundant marine fauna, which includes barracudas, tunas and other big pelagic species.

In Ras Mohamed National Park you will also find fabulous coral reefs, inhabited by plenty of various fish. The strong currents give opportunity of drift diving.

One of the most popular dive sites in Egypt is Seven Pillars, situated not far from Safaga. These 14-meter high coral formations are beloved by Napoleon wrasse, lionfish and puffer fish.

In the Shadwan Channel there are 5 cargo shipwrecks, the oldest of which – the Carnatic sunk in 1869 after hitting a reef. The wrecks are covered with soft corals and nudibranches and inhabited by various critters, including octopuses and giant moray eels.

In Aqaba you will find about 25 dive sites, offering stunning coral gardens, pinnacles and the Cedar Pride, a well-known wreck, covered with a picturesque carpet of soft corals and sponges.

In the waters of the Brothers Islands you will discover an amazing world of steep walls, impressive corals and abundant sea fauna, including gray reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks and hammerheads.

In Dahab you have an opportunity to explore two world famous dive sites – the Blue Hole and the Canyon.

40 kilometers from Sharm El Sheikh there is probably the most popular wreck in Egypt – the Thistlegorm, a British army freighter sunk in 1941 with all her cargo, including tanks, armoured vehicles and aircraft.