EGYPT

Capital:
Cairo

Time:
GMT+ 2 hours

Holidays and Day offs:
According to Gregorian calendar the official holidays are January 1 (New Year), February 22, April 25 (the liberation of Sinai Peninsula during the October war in 1973), May 1 (Labor Day), June 1 (the anniversary of withdrawal of occupation troops from Egypt), July 23 (day of Victory over Israel in 1956), October 6 (the anniversary of crossing the Suez Canal), October 24 (the Seizure of Suez by Egyptian troops in 1973), December 23 (the seizure of Port-Said by Egyptian troops in 1956).

National characteristics:
In Egypt it's better not to bargain but to know the cost of goods or services beforehand. If you need a help but you don't want to pay for the service you would better turn to a policeman. A woman as in any other Muslim country should not leave outdoors unattended. Within the territory of a hotel one can wear anything he/she wants, but in downtown, mind that Egypt is an Islamic country, people are religious, traditions are puritanical. Naked shoulders, jeans, shorts, skirts are inappropriate for street walks. The Egyptian may be late for business-appointment. In Egypt everything is done slowly including decision-making. In Arabs' behavior one can always notice points of expression, exaggeration. Muslims don't use strong drinks though they usually don't mind others' drinking.

Geographic sketch:
Egypt covers an area on the North-East of Africa and South-West of Asia. It borders with Israel in the East, Sudan-in the south, Libya-in the West. In the North it's washed by the Red Sea. The total area of the country covers 1001450 square/kms. Less than 10% of the territory is fit for agriculture. More than 90% of the territory are deserts, among them Libyan Desert, part of Sahara and Arabian Deserts.

Climate:
The climate in the North of the country is subtropical on the rest of the territory it is desert-tropical with daily fluctuations of temperature. Average temperature is:

Population:
The total number of population is 58519000 people. Among ethnic groups are Egyptians - 90%, Bedouins, Nubians.

Language:
The spoken language is one of the Arabic dialects; the official language is the so-called "High Arabic". Arabs write from right to left. Although numbers are written and read from left to right. The knowledge of English is very helpful in Egypt. Many Egyptians living in cities and resort-centers may express their thoughts in English, sometimes in French, road-signs and street names are usually written both in Arabic and Latin letters.

Religion:
Sunnites - 90%, Coptic Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Catholic Church

Currency:
The national currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound. Small change is Piaster (PT). One Egyptian pound equals 100 PT. Credit cards are widely used in the majority of biggest hotels; but they are not always accepted at shops. You can get cash from Banks by Euro/Master and visa cards. But one shouldn't get rid of the currency exchange receipt as they may be used upon checking out of the hotel.

Currency Exchange:
Foreign currency may be changed at banks, restaurants, hotels. Exchange rate is almost the same at all banks, which is more favorable than currency exchange points at grand hotels. Banks are open from Monday to Thursday from 8.30 a.m. to 13.30 p.m., on Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. At places full of tourists some banks are open to 22.00 p.m. Upon departure you may again exchange the remained Egyptian pounds into dollars, therefore it's recommended to keep the currency exchange receipts.

Transport:
The main cities of Egypt are linked by Railway services which are preferable for long-distance travels. Long distance bus-services cover the whole of the country. Bus tickets are cheaper as compared with the ones from railway service. When taking long-distance tours it's recommended to take a bus equipped with an A.C. In Public Transport men and women take apart sits. When taking a taxi it's necessary to settle the price for the service beforehand. Usually there are no meters in the cars. If the price is settled with the help of a door-keeper or a policeman it makes the task easier.

Custom's rules:
People are authorized to import 250 gr tobacco or 50 cigars, a liter of strong drinks and personal belonging. They are also enabled to purchase strong drinks at duty-free shops during a day in Hurgada (This is stamped in the passport) and during a month in Cairo. Tourists traveling with expensive video and photo cameras may be required to mention them in the customs' declaration so that to be able to take them upon leaving the country. The export of corals, items presenting historical value and local currency are prohibited.

Communication:
Local telephone talks can be placed at any pay-phone or post-office departments where you can place calls at reduced rates, which are applied for European countries. You can call to Armenia directly from your Hotel-room (the rate is about 20 pounds for a minute). Likewise you can make calls at the hall of the hotel where there are special cabins with telephone sets (the rate is about 13 pounds for a minute) or purchase a calling card which can be used at special phones (the rate in this case is the lowest).

Shops:
At private shops you can scrutinize items, find out their prices, quality, and the country it was made in, however this does not necessarily oblige the customer to do shopping. If you accept the invitation for having a tea you may be given a small present by the shop owner out of the motive that the guest will purchase something in return. The ordinary contact between a seller and a customer is turned into a solemn ritual by Egyptians, who consider that it's necessary to draw the customers' interest to perk them up and amuse. Europeans are better to accept these rules, turn the trade into amusement and abate prices. No definite hours are set for shops. In winter shops are usually open from 9.00 a.m. to 20.00 p.m. (with lunch time from 12.00 a.m. to 14.50 p.m.). Supermarkets work longer. Many shops are closed only from 21.00 p.m. to 22.00 p.m.

National cuisine, Drinks: :
Singapore is a multinational city having a great variety of Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines. Bars, cafes and restaurants lying anywhere, offer a great variety of Asian dishes, including true works of cooking-art made of fresh and juicy sea-products which cost "nickels". More than 500 high-class restaurants are ready to satisfy any freak of a client. Try a dish from Indian or Chinese cuisine, fresh yourself by an icy juice made of fresh fruits and of course give yourself a treat to exquisite dishes of "high" cuisines at the world-famous restaurants or in the open air on the banks of the river Singapore.

Tips:
You are expected to give tips to porters, taxi-drivers, door-keepers, and many others (that's why you'd better to have 50 PT and a pound on you). In restaurants it's customary to leave about 10% (along with service taxes included in the bill).

Useful Notes:
Inasmuch as the climate in Egypt is hot you should take clothes made of natural silk, cotton, and light woolen fabrics. In Egypt only boiled water can be used, therefore one should have drugs for intestinal diseases, water sterilization pills in the first aid-kit. Tan creams are advised to be taken as well.

Urgent numbers:
Police - 122, Ambulance - 123, Fire brigade - 12