If you are looking for a travel destination featuring famous historical sites, majestic monuments, and plenty of things to do, no country fits the bill more than Egypt. Who doesn’t recall learning about the ancient Pharaohs, hearing about the Egyptian pyramids, and isn’t familiar with the name King Tut? For all these reasons, Egypt is among the top tourist destinations in the Middle East region, visited by the thousands every year.
Yet by far the oldest and most famous geographical element of Egypt is the Nile River. Flowing since the days of the Bible until today, the Nile has been declared the longest river in the world. Moreover, the Egyptian people and the land have been dependant on the Nile for food in water for millenniums. Indeed, in years past, if the Nile had dried up, Egypt would be deprived of water to irrigate the land, to grow crops, and hence to feed the nation. Later on, when waterways began to be used as thoroughfares for trade, the Nile served Egypt well economically and politically, placing it good standings with neighboring countries. Still today, over 90% of Egypt’s major cities and attractions are lined up along the banks of the Nile River, which is why Nile cruises are so popular and considered one of the best ways to learn about the history of Egypt.
Here are some more facts about the Nile River that perhaps you didn’t know :
• The name Nile comes from the Greek word “Neilos,” which means valley
• The Nile begins near the equator, flows north along the Saharan Desert, and ultimately empties into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
• The river is said to be 4,184 miles (6695 km) in length
• The river flows through nine countries but is most strongly associated with Egypt and Uganda
• The remaining countries through which the Nile travels are: Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zaire, Tanzania, Sudan, and Burundi
What else can you expect to be included in Egypt travel packages? The list is long, but here are some of the highlights.
Pyramids of Giza: Nothing behooves the mind more than these perfectly aligned triangular structures, built entirely by hand without the aid of modern construction tools and machinery. The three pyramids will leave you in awe and must be included on any Egypt trip itinerary.
The Sphinx: If you were mesmerized by the Great Pyramids, you will be equally baffled by the Sphinx, another towering Egyptian pyramid. No wonder archeologists still today are trying to solve “the Riddle of the Sphinx”.
Abu Simbel: Built by Pharaoh Ramesses II in commemoration of himself and his wife, these two temples are breathtaking in their beauty and much effort has gone into their preservation.
Cairo: The most popular Egyptian cities frequented by tourists are Luxor, Giza, Awan, and the capital city of Cairo. A hub of Egyptian culture, the city has plenty of first-class accommodations and restaurants featuring Middle Eastern culinary delights. Be sure to spend a morning or afternoon in the Egypt Museum, where archeologists have put together an unprecedented collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. And if shopping is your passion, you won’t want to miss Cairo’s bustling bazaars where you pick up some knick knacks and enjoy bargaining with the local merchants.
Valley of the Kings: If you don’t find the concept too creepy, take a trip to the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt’s most famous Pharaohs are buried. The place is crawling with ancient mummies, undiscovered treasures, and is the site of the famed King Tutankhamen’s tomb.
