272 CultureShock! Egypt
neighbour, separated by the Red Sea, is Saudi Arabia, while
Israel and Jordan are to its north-east.Area
total: 1,001,450 sq km (386,662 sq miles)
land: 995,450 sq km (384,345.4 sq miles)
water: 6,000 sq km (2,316.6 sq miles)Highest Point
Mount Catherine (2,629 m / 8,625.3 ft)Climate
Mainly desert weather where the summers are hot and dry
but winters are moderate.Natural Resources
Asbestos, gypsum, iron ore, lead, limestone,
manganese, natural gas, petroleum, phosphates, talc
and zinc.Population
80,471,869 (July 2010 est)Ethnic Groups
99 per cent of the people are of Eastern Hamitic stock
(i.e. Egyptian, Bedouin or Berber backgrounds) while the
remaining 1 per cent are either Greek, Nubian, Armenian
or other European.Religion
Predominantly Muslim with about 10 per cent Coptic
Christian and other religions.Offi cial Language
ArabicGovernment Structure
Republic