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Climate
Four types of climates characterize Egypt: Mediterranean on the
coast of Alexandria, semi-desert in the region of Cairo, moderate
along the valley of the desert Nile and desert in the South of the
country.
From end September to the end of November: mild heat (25 to 35 C
from the North to the South). Mid-December at mid-March: fresh in
the North of the country, pleasant on the Red Sea. From June to
September: hot and dry season, 25 to 40.
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Temperatures in Egypt (Day average in Centigrade)
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Nov. |
Dec. |
Jan. |
Feb. |
March |
April |
May |
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Luxor |
20 |
16 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
21 |
38 |
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Cairo |
19 |
15 |
11 |
13 |
14 |
22 |
28 |
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Red Sea |
24 |
22 |
20 |
21 |
24 |
28 |
30 |
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Temperatures in Egypt (Day average in Centigrade)
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June |
July |
August |
Sept. |
Oct. |
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Luxor |
40 |
40 |
39 |
37 |
34 |
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Cairo |
32 |
34 |
33 |
32 |
29 |
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Red Sea |
32 |
33 |
34 |
32 |
29 |
Clothing
Light cotton clothing, a cap, sun lotion and sunglasses. Also
foresee a woollen pullover for the fresh evenings.
Credit cards
Credit cards, travellers' cheques are accepted in most of the hotels
and the important shops.
Currency
The national currency is the Egyptian pound (LE), called ‘pound’ in
English and ‘Guineh’ in Arabic. It is divided into 100 piastres.
Geography
With a surface of approximately one million km², Egypt is covered in
majority by the desert (97 %). 95% of the inhabitants live therefore
on only 4% of the territory. Crossed from the South to the North,
Egypt is cut out in 26 administrative provinces. The capital is
Cairo and the principal cities are Alexandria, Port-Said and Aswan.
Guides
Only Egyptian guides can guide on the places of interest and in the
museums. They are all graduates of the Egyptology Institute
Internet
Numerous cybercafs in the majority of the agglomerations of the
country. Tariffs range between 5 and 20 LE per hour.
Language
Official language is Arabic. English and French are rather
widespread, especially in the tourist cities. German and Italian are
spoken in numerous hotels of the Red Sea.
Mail
Purchase of stamps at the post offices or at the reception of your
hotel. A letter for Europe is charged 1,3 LE. The post offices are
closed on Friday.
Opening Schedules
Administrations are generally continuously open daily from 9 to 14
h, except Friday and public holidays. Banks are closed Fridays and
Saturdays. Most shops are open from 10. to 21 h. every day, except
Sunday.
Note:
during the Ramadan, all the schedules are modified.
Population
Egypt comprises 72 million inhabitants.
The population is urban with 45 %. Cairo: more than 17 million
inhabitants, Alexandria: more than 4 million.
Telephone
The public phones with coins or cards are present in all the country
(cards are on sale in small shops often installed nearby the
cabins).
Time zone
Egypt is in 2-hour ahead of the GMT time.
Tipping
Very widespread in Egypt, "bakchich" is a genuine institution. Any
person making a service, even tiny, awaits a tip in return. It is
for example of use in restaurants (even if the service is included)
to leave a small complement.
Vaccination
No vaccine is required for the travellers from Europe. Vaccination
against hepatitis A-B, Tetanus, Polio and Diphtheria are strongly
recommended.
Visa
A paying visa is obligatory to enter to Egypt. Delivered by the
Consulate or at the airport upon arrival in the country. Valid
passport, 6 months after the end of your stay.
Women
Women can travel alone to Egypt. Adopt correct behaviours
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