They also conquered other lands. 28. It signifies the Cobra Goddess and the legend is that she protects the Pharaoh by spitting fire at enemies. Egypt is the 15th country with the highest population in the world, with 99% of the country's people living on just 5.5% of the land. 19. Egyptian, The scarab beetle was sacred to the Egyptians and represented life after, Hippos were considered bad omens and were associated with the evil. One Female Pharaoh Wore a Fake Beard Hatshepsut was an Egyptian pharaoh. No one knows for sure how the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun died. 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. Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbolsby checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature. Because. Scholars believe the Egyptian symbol called the ankh is the origin of the much later Christian cross. Near Tuna el-Gebel on the edge of Egypts Western Desert, scientists have unearthed more than four million. Cleopatra was not actually Egyptian. Trending 40 Interesting Michael Jackson . Cleopatra is a famous figure in ancient Egyptian history, but contrary to popular belief, she wasnt Egyptian at all! The Egyptian flag also features the eagle of Saladin, inspired by ancient Egyptian texts written all over temples to signify dignity and pride. The age of the hieroglyphs is about 5 thousand years. and took more than 20 years to build. As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too! Facts about Ancient Egypt 1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. Youre leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website! 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. Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age. The official language of Egypt is Arabic but don't worry, many people also speak English and if you know French, it will go a long way in Egypt as well. In terms of acreage and volume, the Great Cholula Pyramid of Mexico covers almost 40 acres, in contrast to the Great Pyramid of Giza's 12 acres. Modern Egypt Facts 6: food The main food of Egyptian people is bread. Interesting facts about Egypt 1. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. Compared to many other countries in the world, Egypt has a high literacy rate. To signify dignity and stay modest, Egyptian women keep their legs and arms covered. Usually has the head of an unidentified animal. - Source: CIA World Fact Book 3. 18. The minimum wage is 1 200 pound per month (data from 2014). In Egypt, children (even girls) were considered a blessing. 41. 23. 12 Interesting Facts About Earthquakes. Other foods served on the meal include beans, couscous, rice, and fruits. Check out these interesting facts about Ancient Egypt. Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age. Arabic and Egyptian Arabic are its official and national languages, respectively. 7. For example, in 1959, Czech Radio engineer Karel Drbal patented the idea that pyramids could sharpen blunt razor blades. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. Egypt has a population of an estimated 91% Egyptian ethnicity. The Greeks called Egyptian symbols hieroglyphs (, During the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, some, Ancient Egyptians called hieroglyphs MDW NTR, which means "speech of the, The ancient Egyptians used a picture of tadpole or immature. Standing at 2,629 meters (8625 feet), Mount Catherine is the highest mountain in Egypt. Egypt is the most visited country in Africa receiving over 13 million tourists a year. Source:UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 29. Its thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck! 5. 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 ancient Egyptians left paintings and carvings (which can still be seen today!) Africa and Asia are both present in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. At least 118 pyramids were built by the pharaohs as royal tombs. Source: Reuters, National Geographic, 9. Egypts most valuable resources are oil and gas, which are exported to other countries. Did Cleopatra really die from a snake bite? However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us. This ancient country, which is often referred to as one of the Cradles of Civilization, is an incredible contrast between old and new. For example, during the Old Kingdom (2650-2134 B.C. The country only gets about 20mm of rain each year. Start with these 67 fun facts about Egypt. Ancient Egyptians mummified not only people but animals as well. They Were One Of The First Civilizations To Read And Write Credit: Shutterstock image by matrioshka Along with the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to invent reading and writing. Source: Al Jazeera, Reuters, 23. Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. February 21, 2011. 3. Egypt is a transcontinental country that spans the southwest corner of Asia and the northeast corner of Africa by means of a land bridge that is formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Id al Fitr is one of the biggest celebrations in Egypt. Unlike most other rivers, it flows south to north, it floods in the. 15. A lot of work went into building the great pyramids. September 19, 2007. The famous pyramid of Giza has some passageways that have never been explored. These animals were a popular target for sport hunters in ancient Egypt and historical records indicate that the Pharaoh also enjoyed this pastime. The ancient Egyptians were considered extremely powerful in all aspects, including government, arts, writing and religion. 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. These cookies are required to make our website work! Trending 40 Interesting Air Pollution Facts . 2. 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. The surprisingly eventually led to the fall of Mubarak and the first democratically elected president in Egypt, but also further instability, military intervention and fresh protests. Source: BBC News, The Guardian, 19. Essential Facts Interesting Facts 01 Egypt dates back to the 3rd Millennium BC. 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. Late actress Gloria Swanson slept with a miniature pyramid under her pillow because it made every cell in her body tingle., Egypts Health Ministry banned female circumcision (when a, The first mummy is, according to legend, Osiris who was murdered by Seth. Egypt is a country located in NorthAfricabordering Israel, Libya, Sudan and the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Source: Britannica, 2. 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. Has the head of a hawk, often with a double crown. (David Berkowitz / CC BY 2.0 ) 6. Egyptian hieroglyphs have over 700 symbols. Ancient Egyptians tried filtering it with wheat and other grains even when boiling wouldnt get the water clean enough for consumption. 56. 3) The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. You're leaving our kids' pages to visit a page for grown-ups! The clear waters of the Red Sea make it one of the best scuba diving destinations on earth. North ofCairo(Egypts capital city) is the sprawling, triangularNile River Delta. Female circumcision is illegal in Egypt, except in cases of a medical emergency. Approximately 95% of Egypt's population lives along the banks of river Nile, which is known to be the longest river on the globe. 42. It comes immediately after Ramadan and the Egyptians bake special cookies and host parties. Get messy, explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home! 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. Arabs introduced. Unsplash. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on September 19, 2021. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. There are more than 700 symbols in this ancient language that was once used to document history and communicate. Be sure to check if your parent or guardian is okay with this first. We dont think much about where everyday items were invented, but youll likely be surprised to learn that toothpaste, pens, paper, keys and locks were invented in Egypt. Later, model servants called, Pyramid Power or pyramidology refers to the belief that pyramids possess supernatural powers. Interesting facts about Cleopatra Each had different responsibilities and needed to be worshipped so that life could be kept in balance. Search for Tutankhamuns hidden chambers continues. Often has the head of a hawk with a sun disk and two plumes on top. Sometimes pictured as a goose, but most often represented as a man. It was also called Deshret, or Red Land, which referred to Egypts vast deserts. The ancient obelisk known as Cleopatras Needle has suffered more damage in the 125 years it has stood in. 63. Slightly three times larger than. 7. Cairo's been an important asset to many different empires. 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. Use this useful blog to refresh your knowledge and impress your pupils by providing them with a variety of interesting facts. 23 Surprising Facts About Spain. It aided in agriculture, transportation and construction. The eye paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead).As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too! The red color is a representation of the struggle against the British colonialists before their independence. The first pyramid was erected for the burial of a pharaoh named Djoser. It was discovered in 1922 and was full of priceless materials and beautiful workmanship. Egypt was ruled by a Macedonian dynasty until 31 BC and then by the ensuing Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman empires. The afterlife was extremely important to the Egyptians. Yet mummification was an expensive and time-consuming process, reserved for the more wealthy members of society. 24. Egypt has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. To get you started, here are some fascinating facts about Egypt. Approximately 99% of the population lives on about 5.5% of the land. Cairo's home to a staggering number of people. If you see something that looks incorrect, please let me know at wanderer [at] wonderfulwanderings.com and I'll look into it. Other common calamities in Egypt include Sandstorms, duststorms, and windstorms, also known as Khamsin. [20] Egyptians used vast amounts of linen to mummify a body. Get uplifting news, exclusive offers, inspiring stories and activities to help you and your family 7. The ancient Egyptians may have been the first people to keep cattle. Of all the Arab countries, Egypt is the only one that has a movie industry. There are so many places to visit in Egypt! 9. The oldest surviving mathematical work in Egypt is titled The Entrance into the Knowledge of All Existing Things and All Obscure Secrets. 2. 6Goldschmidt, Arthur, Jr. A Brief History of Egypt. The oldest prosthetic limb in the world was discovered in Egypt. Egypts Nile River is the worlds longest. The amount of income tax in Egypt is 25%. Tourism is a major economic activity in Egypt, accounting for about 12% of the country's workforce. Travel through these interesting Ethiopia facts to learn more. ), Egypt was called Kemet or Black Land, which referred to the dark, rich soil of the Nile Valley. 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! For the ancient Egyptians, the world began when Atum-Ra (the, The 2011 Egyptian revolution began on January 25th. It's actually found in Mexico. The country has 386,662 square miles of land and is the 30th largest country in the world by land mass. 34 Facts About London That Will Blow Your Mind! Here are 25 Interesting Facts about Ancient Egypt that you probably didn't know! The official language is Arabic. Seth, the God of the Desert. Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike! Bordered partly by the Mediterranean and Red Sea, Egypt borders Africa and the Middle East, sitting between the Gaza Strip, Israel, Libya and Sudan. Contrary to popular belief, Cleopatra was actually Greek, not Egyptian or African. The ancient Egyptians were the first people to have a year consisting of 365 days divided into 12 months. This article may contain affiliate links. Egypt is often divided into two sections . There are more than 9.7 million denizens in the city, and that's just based on 2019 figures. 1. Bread was invented in Egypt around 8,000 BC. Accessed: April 18, 2011. One of the top attractions in Hanoi is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Besides Cairo, other major cities in Egypt are Alexandria and Giza. The mystery of the Sphynx's missing nose! Your email address will not be published. Egypt has a horizontally striped red, white and black flag with a gold hawk in the centre. Islam is the common religion with 90% of the population being Muslims. With a population estimated at more than 99 million, it is the most populous country in the Arab world, and the third-most populous nation in Africa. Accessed: April 24, 2011. 2023 Fact Retriever LLC. Egypt's pyramids are the second largest on earth. The flag is similar to that of Syria, Iraq and Yemen which are all based on the Arab Liberation Flag. With a height of 2,629 metres, Mount Catherine is the tallest mountain in Egypt (8625 ft). The Egyptian calendar was invested more than a few thousand years before the Common Era. 5Enormous Statue of Powerful Pharaoh Unearthed. MSNBC. Erosion and sandstorms have created fascinating natural formations like nothing else youve ever seen! 10 weird facts about ancient Egyptians that will surprise you. The most famous fully intact surviving ancient Egyptian ship is the ' Khufu Ship ', found sealed in the Pyramid of Giza. The rivers total length is 6,695km (4,160 miles) and runs from as far away as Burundi and Lake Victoria in East Africa all the way to the Mediterranean in North Africa. Source:Guinness World Records, National Geographic, 14. Even if you visit Factslides.com every day to get your dosis of new facts just like over 1 million visitors do every month, in . Spices, jewelry, coffee and so many great bargains are to be found! The first person in Egypt identified by name (Mery) for tax evasion was sentenced to 100 blows for his crime. Sometimes depicted as a baboon. 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. 41. 25 Facts About ANCIENT EGYPT | 25 FACTS Colossal Cranium 452K subscribers Subscribe 3.9M views 6 years ago The pyramids! 34. Yup, it's just another one of those cool things about Egypt. 22. An Egyptian father named his newborn daughter Facebook to commemorate the role Facebook played in the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Fun Facts About Egypt 1. 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 currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound. The last known hieroglyphic inscription was made in A.D. 394 in the temple of Isis in Philae. 22. Having so many people in such a small area causes overcrowding everywhere, from schools and hospitals to apartment buildings and public transport.Children are highly valued in Egypt, especially in rural areas where they help on family farms. What are 10 interesting facts about Egypt? 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.