Trending 40 Interesting and Surprising Nigeria Facts . We are looking to become the #1 facts source on the Internet and we are on our way. The oldest dress in the world comes from Egypt. It aided in agriculture, transportation and construction. 2. The title and content of this post have been updated throughout the years based on new information but also to make sure people can find it in Google and I have to admit I overlooked the incongruence between the title and some of the facts. Much of what people know about Egypt is as a result of hieroglyphic writing found in archeological sites. What to Wear in Egypt Example Egypt Outfits, Onboard the Steam Ship Sudan The REAL Death on the Nile. Its also a very old language and one of the first to ever be used. The official name of Egypt is the Arab Republic of Egypt. If you were to unravel some of the bandages of some Egyptian mummies, the linen bandages would stretch for a mile bet this is one of those Egypt facts you didnt know! The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. Demand grew so high for it that it acquired the nickname White Gold. One of the earliest known writing systems was invented by the ancient Egyptians. 32. Modern Egypt Facts 6: food The main food of Egyptian people is bread. Although it is a popular notion that Napoleons troops shot off the, Scholars believe that ancient Egyptians were the first to sew wounds closed some 4,000 years ago. 50 Interesting Facts about Mummies By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer Published December 20, 2017 In ancient Egyptian mummification, onions were sometimes used to fill body cavities, often serving as false eyes. All rights reserved. Sydney, Australia: Weldon Russell Pty Ltd, 1993. Required fields are marked *. Share them in the comments below! Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. The Red Sea borders Egypts east coast for 750 miles and has been designated a nature reserve for millions of species including coral reefs. The country is ethnically homogeneous, with Egyptians comprising more than 99% of the population. Africa and Asia are both present in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Currently known as New Administrative Capital, the new city is hoped to ease congestion in Cairo. just saying there is lots of misspelling errors. The oldest surviving mathematical work in Egypt is titled The Entrance into the Knowledge of All Existing Things and All Obscure Secrets. The Nile is the second-longest river on earth, running 4,100 miles from Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea. More than 130 pyramids have been discovered from that era so far. Fly swatters made from giraffe tails were a popular fashion item in ancient Egypt. The Tarkhan Dress has been radiocarbon dated to between 5,100 and 5,500 years old and as such is the worlds oldest woven garment. Source: National Geographic, 26. The most famous of which is the Great Pyramid of Giza which is the only wonder of the ancient world that has survived to the present day. 27. , all of Egypt would be desert. The Ancient Egyptian World. 53. One of the top attractions in Hanoi is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. It's actually found in Mexico. Monaco has the worlds highest life expectancy at 89.73 years old. Built across the Nile River, the dam is 328 feet tall and 2.1 miles long and was instrumental in preventing flooding and providing quality drinking water. However, female genital mutilation is still largely practiced all over Egypt. 52. 100 Things You Should Know about Ancient Egypt. Take a look below for 31 more fun and interesting facts about Egypt. Meet My Daughter Facebook: How One Egyptian Father Is Commemorating the Part the Social Network Played in Revolution. Daily Mail. They also invented clocks. Ancient Egyptians believed they were made from clay on a potters wheel by the river. A popular tourist destination, the site is noted for its temples and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Source: UNESCO, 27. Isis is the Greek name for the god of marriage, fertility, motherhood, magic, and medicine. Started in 1996, Egypt's Royal library of Alexandria has copies of all the web pages on the internet. The country only gets about 20mm of rain each year. Not for lack of choice but because Egypt has, If youre looking for a few Egypt travel tips, youve come to the right place! You can imagine there are so many interesting facts about Egypt to know. i also wantd to thank you, it helped me for a preentation that i already have it. Erosion and sandstorms have created fascinating natural formations like nothing else youve ever seen! 2. Wears a red crown or has two crossed arrows and a shield on her head. Egyptian history is generally considered to have begun in 3200 B.C. Egypt has a population of an estimated 91% Egyptian ethnicity. The crocodile is known as the devourer of human hearts in the ancient Book of the Dead. These Arab forces ruled Egypt for several centuries and founded the modern capital, Cairo. it went well, also i didnt find it funny tho. For example, in 1959, Czech Radio engineer Karel Drbal patented the idea that pyramids could sharpen blunt razor blades. The Egyptian calendar was invested more than a few thousand years before the Common Era. 1. 4. Top 10 Fun Facts About Egypt Egypt Egypt is a country with a long and rich history. They believed in many gods. , one of the oldest branches of the Christian religion. 21. Egyptians once believed that the floods were caused by the tears of the goddess Isis when she mourned the death of her husband Osiris. Here are some amazing facts about this ancient world. The amount of income tax in Egypt is 25%. If you are wondering what the best things to do in Egypt are, I have to say thats a tough one. Love ancient history? There are around 130 pyramids today, and have stood firm agains the elements for thousands of years. This puts strain on Egypts resources, since most people live in a narrow strip of land along the Nile River. No one truly knows how Egyptian ancients pronounced their words. It is built from over two million blocks of limestone, each one weighing as much as two and a half, Ancient Egyptians believed that mummification ensured the deceased a safe passage to the afterlife. The ancient Egyptian calendar was a solar calendar with a 365-day year. It also looks like a keyfor ancient Egyptians, the key to eternal life. Check out these interesting facts about Ancient Egypt. This fertile land is completely covered with farms. Ancient Egyptians spent their spare time relaxing with friends over board games. The ancient Egyptians were the first people to have a year consisting of 365 days divided into 12 months. The population of Egypt is over 95 million people. 2. 04 Workers typically earned 5 sacks of grain in a single month. 15. Given their nature, these posts are research-based and even though a lot of time has gone into them, it's still possible a mistake has snuck in. She is an expert in travel, budgeting, and finding unique experiences. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. View of Mohammad Ali Mosque, Cairo, Egypt. The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the countrys north coast.Southern Egypts landscape contains low mountains and desert. 20. While desert landscapes likely come to mind when you think of Egypt, you might be surprised to learn that some of the best beaches in the world are located on the countrys Sinai Peninsula, particularly in the southern area of the peninsula. You are absolutely right, its not. Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike! Do you know any fun facts about Egypt? Essential Facts Interesting Facts 01 Egypt dates back to the 3rd Millennium BC. Contrary to popular belief, Cleopatra was actually Greek, not Egyptian or African. Ancient Egypt. The oldest prosthetic limb in the world was discovered in Egypt. They invented the calendar primarily to predict the flooding of the Nile River yearly. Islam is the dominant religion in Cairo. 2. If you thought board games were a fairly new invention, think again! Aswan high dam is the world's largest dam, built to contain the raging waters of the world's longest river, the Nile. The Great Sphinx of Egypt, which is believed to have been built during the Old Kingdom during the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558 - 2532 BC). of large animals like elephants, hippos, leopards and cheetahs. Interesting facts about Cleopatra Yes, you read that correctly. 5Enormous Statue of Powerful Pharaoh Unearthed. MSNBC. The earliest forms of writing, religion, government and agriculture were started in Egypt. With a height of 2,629 metres, Mount Catherine is the tallest mountain in Egypt (8625 ft). 22. Interesting and professional blog, which was also very informative:) I learned a lot of new things about Egypt that I never knew before! 2. Ancient Egypt ended when Alexander the Great, of ancient Macedonia, conquered Egypt in 332 BC and founded Alexandria. Credit: MusikAnimal // CC BY-SA 3.0. The Berlin Papyrus (c. 1800 B.C.) That's because the Egyptian hieroglyphs don't include any vowels. Accessed: April 30, 2010. 1. He is dressed in white and carried a crook and flail. The year consisted of three seasons of 120 days each, plus an intercalary month of 5 epagomenal days treated as outside of the year proper. 7. The country is ethnically homogeneous, with Egyptians comprising more than 99% of the population. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The most interesting facts about Egypt, from the most visited country in Africa to one of the worlds most iconic landmarks, Official name: Arab Republic of EgyptPopulation: 106,437,241Area: 1,001,450 sq kmCapital city: CairoMajor languages: Arabic, English, FrenchMajor religions: Islam Time zone: UTC+2 (Egypt Standard Time) Source: CIA World Fact Book, 1. Women enjoyed a raft of legal and financial rights and freedoms, such as the right to buy and sell property and the right to divorce and remarry. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. Tutankhamun Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh. It took at least 20 years and 100,000 people to build the great pyramids. Sphinx and pyramid at Giza, Egypt: Javarman, Dreamstime. To signify dignity and stay modest, Egyptian women keep their legs and arms covered. For everyday use, Egyptians used a script called hieratic. In 700 B.C., a second script called demotic was used, of which a derivative is used by Coptic Christians today. 7Hartley-Parkinson, Richard. . The capital of Egypt is Cairo. The famous pyramid of Giza has some passageways that have never been explored. 10) The Ancient Egyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and believe it or not toothpaste! Yikes! The colours represent oppression (black), bloody struggle (red) and a bright future (white). 7. Egypt's national animal is the Steppe eagle. The Ancient Egyptians believed that animals were incarnations of the gods so it was popular to keep animals as pets. The Ancient Egyptian religion has over 14,000 gods and goddesses. 1. Strong neighbours attacked and took over Egyptian territory in 31 B.C., Egypt fell under Roman control and centuries later, in A.D. 640, Muslim warriors took over Egypt. Ill check this next time I update the post. The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board. Well, gang, so did the Ancient Egyptians! The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound. Many people love their cats but Egyptians took their love to another level! The population of Egypt was 94,798,827 according to a 2017 census. Egypt (along with other countries in the region) has gone to war with Israel several times since 1948 in what has become known as the Arab-Israeli wars. The life expectancy of Egyptians is approximately 72.66 years, which ranks 124th in the world. Here are some interesting Egypt facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. Your email address will not be published. 22 Hot Facts About Venus. The ancient Egyptian civilisation existed from 3150 BC - 30 BC. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. North ofCairo(Egypts capital city) is the sprawling, triangularNile River Delta. The Sahara Desert at one time was lush grassland and savannah. The official language of Egypt is Arabic. Egypt is ethnically homogeneous with Egyptians comprising more than 99% of the population. Niger ranks first with 7.60 children per woman. Egypt is the 66th most fertile country in the world. Children are highly valued in Egypt, especially in rural areas where they help on family farms. 7. Source: BBC News, 22. 13Sutter, John. 62. 12 Interesting Facts About Earthquakes. There are so many places to visit in Egypt! Image credits: Egypt map: National Geographic Maps. The afterlife was very important to Egyptians. Often has the hieroglyph of her name on her head. Female Circumcision Focus of Ferocious Debate in Egypt. The New York Times. Thanks so much for the constructive feedback! They were thought to bring good luck. In Africa, only South Africa (10), Ethiopia (9),Morocco(9) andTunisia(8) have more. Source: UNESCO, 8. The last known hieroglyphic inscription was made in A.D. 394 in the temple of Isis in Philae. Spices, jewelry, coffee and so many great bargains are to be found! The tradition of exchanging wedding rings traces its origin back to ancient Egypt. 19. According to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, the king's soul ascended along the sun rays to the sun god. The rest of Egypt is largely covered by the Sahara Desert. had the longest reign in history94 years. In fact, more than 1000 gods and goddesses were worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians. For twenty years, one hundred thousand people worked on the Great Pyramids structure for three months of each year during the Niles annual flood when it was impossible to farm the land and most of the population was unemployed. Sun god. 50. The Nile divides the Egyptian desert plateau into two sections known as the Western Desert and the Eastern Desert. Source: National Geographic, Britannica, 16. The English name Egypt comes from the ancient Greek name for the country Aigyptos while the Arabic name Misr comes from the Akkadian word misru meaning border or frontier. Source: CIA World Fact Book, 25. Hmmm that doesnt really fit the theme of the blog Im afraid :), really it does cause Egyptians had myths about gods and other thing so i think it would go with the theme and i think it would draw a lot of peoples attention to your blog, i know i would tell people about your blog if it had myths and a lot of people need to write essays about myths and if you dont want to do myths about Egyptians then do one about mayon volcano. Egypt has a horizontally striped red, white and black flag with a gold hawk in the centre. An Egyptian father named his newborn daughter Facebook to commemorate the role Facebook played in the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Accessed: April 24, 2011. Looking for Egypt language facts? Northern Egypt has wide valleys near the Nile, and desert to the east and west. In 2021, a container ship called the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal and was stuck for six days, disrupting global supply chains freezing nearly $10 billion in trade a day. Source: New York Times, 13. The Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. 23 Surprising Facts About Spain. It is said that even female Pharaohs wore these fake beards! It measures almost 44 meters in length (143 feet). The clear waters of the Red Sea make it one of the best scuba diving destinations on earth. In ancient Egypt, pigeon mail was widespread. He had over 90 children: approximately 56 boys and 44 girls. In Ancient Egypt, if a person killed a cat, even by accident, they would be put to death as punishment. The Egyptians also draw many traditions from their religion (Islam). Read on to learn about the Egypt of today. Source: Britannica, CIA World Fact Book, 7. Worshipped like sacred deities, most homes had a cat and it was treated like royalty. The ancient Egyptians mummified both human beings and animals as they believed it would allow the dead to pass safely into the afterlife. There are many interesting facts about Cleopatra. Those beards they are often depicted in were fake and only worn for religious reasons. 1. 60. 8) Cats were considered sacred animals by the Ancient Egyptians. Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. and was replaced by Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. While images of big cities, such as Cairo and Alexandria, likely come to mind thinking of the landscape of Egypt, the reality is there are many wide-open spaces consisting of deserts, mountains, shorelines and wetlands that are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Facts about Ancient Egypt 1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. People in ancient Egypt believed in the afterlife. its written on the Rhine mathematical papyrus. Egyptian Mythology A to Z. 40 Interesting Facts About Kenya. Yes, however, you need to be very careful to drink around the holy month, Ramadan - youll also need to be over 21 to drink here. Search for Tutankhamuns hidden chambers continues. 12Remler, Pat. She loves to be outside, hiking in the mountains, playing in the snow on her snowboard, and biking. 5. The surviving pyramids of Giza in particular are the most spectacular manmade structures ever made. 12. Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including jackals, gazelles, crocodiles, and cobras. 3. The mummy - an eviscerated, dried and bandaged corpse - has become a defining Egyptian artefact. 46. It has a land area of 3.89 million sq mi (1.01 million sq km). Nearly 10 million people choose to live in Cairo! 66. Well end this facts about Egypt list with a fun one! We love getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations and arent afraid to go it alone. The Great Pyramid at Giza has vents pointing to the constellation of Orion so the mummys spirit could fly straight up to the gods. The majority of the population lives near the River Nile because this is the only arable land in the country. The Egyptian Flag is tricolor consisting of red, white and black colors. However, Egypt has a lot of pyramids. From 1859 to 1869, the Suez Canal was built in Egypt connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea via a 193.3km (120 miles) artificial sea-level waterway. If you were caught killing or injuring a cat in Ancient Egypt the penalties were high, usually resulting in death. It means great house because everyone believed the kings. For the ancient Egyptians, the Nile was mysterious. There are about 2,060 square kilometers of unclaimed land in the border between Sudan and Egypt. For the ancient Egyptians, the world began when Atum-Ra (the, The 2011 Egyptian revolution began on January 25th. Archeologists discovered a 15-foot- (4.5-m-) long mummified crocodile. Necropolis god, connected with mummification. Although a flooding river might sound like a living nightmare for most people, it was a welcome thing every year in September when the banks would overflow with the rich black soil needed for farming. Since the early 1800s, cotton has been famously harvested in Egypt and what a fine cotton it is! Probably the most recognised landmarks of ancient Egypt is the pyramid. A few millennia back, ancient Egypt was one of the richest and most powerful civilizations in the world. Egyptians have always been close to the natural world. 3. Egyptian cotton is said to be the best in the world. In later years, Pharaohs opted for statues resembling their servants instead. For 3000 years it was the breadbasket for much of the Mediterranean world. The Beautiful House is the name of the house or tent where mummification took place in ancient Egypt. Cleopatra was born in 70 or 69 B.C. 9. 02 It also had an estimated population of 5 million people. Egypt's pyramids are the second largest on earth. Egypt Facts55 Facts about Egypt. Catherine, standing at 8625 ft high (2,629m). of large animals like elephants, hippos, leopards and cheetahs. Later, model servants called, Pyramid Power or pyramidology refers to the belief that pyramids possess supernatural powers. 4. Egyptian, The scarab beetle was sacred to the Egyptians and represented life after, Hippos were considered bad omens and were associated with the evil. Has the head of a cow or cows horns, often with a sun disk on her head. Tourism is a major economic activity in Egypt, accounting for about 12% of the country's workforce. This pyramid actually has 8 sides and not four as most people believe. There are about 7 hundred hieroglyphs. Without the Nile River, ancient Egyptians wouldnt have gotten much done! The city of Cairo boasts varied cultures and social classes under a robust natural environment. When Angelina Jolie was cast as Cleopatra in the 2011 movie, many erroneously argued that the role should have gone to an African American. Historians think that they were built by farmers and other labourers during the flooding season, and were paid for their hard work. 3. Today, Egypt thrives on tourism with millions of visitors every year who come for the history, the cultural experiences and the world-class attractions. Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest and most fascinating civilisations in human history. Its still used in the modern world. The country's capital city is Cairo. The most popular sport in Egypt is soccer but they also take part in tennis, squash, and swimming. Ruler of the Underworld, god of dying vegetation, and husband of Isis. They had a god for food, a god for everyday chores and a god for pretty much anything you can think of! If you are traveling Egypt seeing this is must do! War god. Ramadan is a national celebration that runs for a whole month and is held annually. They might look like simply triangular-shaped structures but theyre much more complicated! Cairo, which also has the greatest population, is the country's . The British wanted control of theSuez Canal, which linked the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and greatly shortened the sailing trip from Asia to Europe. It signifies the Cobra Goddess and the legend is that she protects the Pharaoh by spitting fire at enemies. The Aswan Dam, which was completed in 1970, is one of the biggest dams in the world. 03 Egypt's population today numbers just over 100 million people. Egyptian hieroglyphs have over 700 symbols. Egypt is known for their two major deserts, the Libyan and the Sahara desert. In 1975, scientists used gamma rays to sterilize his body. This is one of the most interesting facts about Egypt! Has the head of a hawk, often with a double crown. 1. Over four million mummies with the shape of a stork-like bird (Ibis) have been unearthed by scientists in Egypt's Western Desert. Where even is Egypt? 2. The official language is Modern Standard Arabic. Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country in Northeast corner of Africa. Toilets were also included in some ancient Egyptian tombs. 14. 4. Modern Egypt Image Most economic activity takes place along the Nile River Valley, where the . The first examples of it were flat and unleavened, most closely resembling what we know today as chapatis in India or tortillas in Latin America. These cookies help us record anonymous data about how people are using our website. The meats that people eat are rabbit, goat, beef and lamb. Others claimed that the role should have gone to an actress of Greek descent, such as Jennifer Aniston. 2023 Fact Retriever LLC. 17. It was used to predict when the Nile River would flood. Other common calamities in Egypt include Sandstorms, duststorms, and windstorms, also known as Khamsin. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. Most of the Land in Egypt Is Unused. Its thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck! and took more than 20 years to build. Until 2015, no Egyptian president had ever left office without dying or being arrested. In ancient times, Egyptians believed in more than 2,000 gods because they had one for everything. Medical examinations reveal that parasites such as worms were a problem for ancient Egyptians. The longest documented reign of any monarch is that of Egypts Pharaoh Pepi II who ruled for 94 years from around 2281 BC. Planning a trip to Egypt or just want to know more about the country? Some of the stone blocks used to build many of Egypt's temples are believed to weigh more than 50 tonnes. About 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslim, which means they are followers of the. By population, Egypt is now the worlds largest Arab country. Welcome to the lovely and beautiful country of Egypt! He was the head of a hawk and wears the crown of Egypt. During this time, the people fast during the day when the sun is up and break their fast when the sun sets and they can party, eat and drink. The embalmer who made the first cut in the flank during the mummification process was called the ripper. The Egyptians considered any cut an offense to the bodyso in a symbolic performance, the rest of the embalmers threw stones at the ripper and chased him away with curses. There are five million Facebook users in Egypt, more than any other Middle Eastern country. Measuring 146.7 meters in height, it's one of the oldest historic sites that remain largely intact. Cairo is the most populated city in Egypt and it's also the capital city. The ancient obelisk known as Cleopatras Needle has suffered more damage in the 125 years it has stood in. 40 Facts About Egypt: For Kids, Fun Facts About Egypt, Sports, Nature, Food, Culture, Continent & More eBook : Publishing, Grant: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store However, no one knows the reason behind that conclusion. A lot of work went into building the great pyramids. The UNESCO-listed Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) in Egypt is home to the fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, species of whale. Usually shown as a mummy, holding a scepter, and wearing a white crown with plumes and horns. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. The ancient Egyptians invented the 365-day calendar. Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. 9Malek, Jaromir. If you see something that looks incorrect, please let me know at wanderer [at] wonderfulwanderings.com and I'll look into it. Even pharaohs joined in on the fun! Learn more about this beautiful Mediterranean country with this selection of Egypt facts. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. Source: History Channel, 10. Ask your parents to check out Nat Geo Kids magazine! 41. But this was incompatible with the true solar year which so to solve this, the Egyptians added five extra days to the year. Source: Britannica, 28. This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings! Trending 40 Interesting and Surprising Bolivia Facts . The library not only preserves the Egyptian history, but it's also one of the largest and most interesting libraries in Africa. Join us, ancient explorers, as we head back 5,000 years through history to discover fascinating facts about Ancient Egypt, from its ancient beginnings to Egypt today. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. The museum is scheduled to open sometime in the 2nd half of 2018. Triangular in shape, the Sinai Peninsula has an area of 23,500 square miles (61,000 square kilometers) and spans across two continents, Africa and Asia. Cleopatra was not actually Egyptian. These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Fun Facts about Egypt for Kids. Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Egypt. Here are 25 Interesting Facts about Ancient Egypt that you probably didn't know! 40. In ancient Egypt, concrete, high-heeled shoes, scallops, soap and even tooth powder were invented. Egypt was ruled by a Macedonian dynasty until 31 BC and then by the ensuing Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman empires. Cairo's home to a staggering number of people. The Fertile Crescent covers a roughly crescent-shaped area of fertile land that includes parts of present-day Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Cyprus. Source: History Channel. It's one of those weird facts about Egypt. Niger is the top on the list, with a birth expectancy rate of 7.6 children for every woman. He is now stored in an antibacterial case. 27 Egypt Travel Tips To Know BEFORE You Go! The Giza pyramids are just some of the oldest pyramids in the world. The vast majority of Egypt's dead were buried in simple pits in the desert. The Egyptian calendar was based on 12 30-day lunar cycles (360 days in total). These mummies have been found near Tuna el-Gebel. General Editor. On average, only an inch of rain falls in Egypt per year. Earlier in ancient Egyptian history, when a pharaoh died, it was common practice to have their live servants buried with them so they could continue to serve their master in the afterlife. While it is customary for women to wear the hijab in Egypt, tourists are under no obligation to follow suit.