March 4, 2011

Economy:

1. Tourism brings in money
2. Oil, natural gas, and manufacturing is another way they make money
3. Agriculture- making most of their limited arable land (3%) 
4. They grow cotton, corn, rice, wheat, fava beans
5. The old pattern of dealing with the Nile has been changed since the 1970 building of the Aswan High Dam
6. The dam controls the flooding of the Nile, and increases the amount of reclaimed land

Demographics:

1. 79 million people- biggest population of Middle eastern nations
2. Official language is Arabic but they teach some people French, German, and English
3. Religion- 90% Muslim, most of the rest is Christian, but Egypt is ranked 12th in the world for religious violence and ranked 5th for worst religious freedom

Politics, Government, and Revolution:

1. In 1922 end of protectorate with the United Kingdom
2. In 1953 Egypt declared a republic
3. In 1954-1970 ruled by Gamal Nasser
4. 1970-1981 ruled by Anwar Sadat. He attacked Israel over Sinai Peninsula and was assassinated in 1981 after trying to make peace
5. From 1981-2011 Hosni Mubarak ruled, helped in the Iraq war but he was driven from office last month

Whats Next?

1. Egypt is currently being run by a military junta, but democratic elections are scheduled for September
2. Some people want Mubarak arrested for stealing money from the government
3. Libya has been ruled by Muammar Gaddafi since 1969 and he is violently opposing their uprising. Libya may even descend into a full civil war
4. The east is controlled by rebels but he still is captain