Egypt General
Egypt is a transcontinental nation bridging Africa and Asia, famous for its 3,000-year-old ancient civilization, the Nile River, and 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Key highlights include building the Great Pyramids, inventing early writing, using makeup for protection, and creating the 12-month calendar. They used bizarre remedies, including human/animal excrement, to treat injuries.
The Sinai Peninsula acts as a land bridge to Asia and is thought to be one of the sites that Moses led his people out of Egypt.
Other things: Hedgehog meat is popular, Cleopatra was Greek and they invented toothpaste made with oxen hooves and ashes.
Ancient Egyptian Wonders
- Pharaohs and Cats: Egyptians loved pets and believed cats brought good luck, often mummifying them to accompany them in the afterlife.
- Advanced Medicine: They used bizarre remedies, including human/animal excrement, to treat injuries.
- Equal Rights: Ancient Egyptian women had equal rights to men concerning property and in court.
- Makeup for All: Both men and women wore thick makeup, believing it had healing powers and offered protection from the gods.
- Inventors: They are believed to have created toothpaste (using ingredients like oxen hooves and ashes) and used papyrus as an early form of paper.
Geography & Modern Egypt
- The Nile Dependence: Without the Nile River, all of Egypt would be desert, as the country receives barely one inch of rain annually.
- Transcontinental: While mostly in Africa, the Sinai Peninsula acts as a land bridge to Asia.
- Rising Capital: Due to immense congestion in Cairo, a new capital city is being built 45 kilometers (28 miles) to the east.
- Most Populous Arab Nation: Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, with over 99 million people.
Fun Historical Tidbits
- Cleopatra's Roots: Despite being a famous Egyptian ruler, Cleopatra VII was actually Greek.
- First Peace Treaty: The earliest recorded peace treaty (1259 B.C.) was negotiated with the Hittite Empire.
- Incorrect Naming: Ancient Egypt was not called "Egypt" by its inhabitants; it was originally known as the "Land of the Nile" or similar, with 'Egypt' deriving from a Greek interpretation.
Board Games: Ancient Egyptians were fond of board games, particularly one called "Senet," which was popular for over 2,000 years.