Chapter 1: National Back Ground Information

1.1 Physical and Demographic Context

1.2 Political/ Geographic Structure of the Country

1.3 Industrial and Agricultural Sectors

1.4 Industrial Employment by Major Economic Sectors

 1.1 Physical and Demographic Context

Location

Egypt enjoys a unique geographical location. It is an Arab African country, being situated on the northeastern corner of the African continent. It is also partly an Asian country, being linked to Asia by the Sinai Peninsula, which has always played a pivotal role over history as a crossing point between the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. Due to its singular geographical situation, Egypt has always been a connecting link between the world continents. Although Egypt’s position was affected following the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope route, the country later regained its vital role after the digging of the Sue Canal. Egypt lies between latitudes 22" and 32" and between longitudes 24" and 37" to the east of Greenwich line.

Geographical Borders

Egypt is bounded as follows:

Area

The Arab Republic of Egypt has a total area of about 1,002,000 Sq. kilometers, of which only 35,189 Sq. kilometers, i.e.; 3.6% are populated.

Capital

Cairo, the capital of the Arab Republic of Egypt is a time-honored city, with an outstanding position among world capitals. It has a population of 6,789,479, ranking twenty first among world cities in order of population, and the largest in the Arab world and Africa.

Geography

The Arab Republic of Egypt is divided into four major parts:

1- Nile Valley and Delta

It has an area of about 33,000 Sq. km accounting for 4% of the total area of the country, while the remaining area; i.e.; 96%, is desert.

It extends in the south from north of Wadi Halfa up to the Mediterranean coast in the north.

It is divided into:

1. Upper Egypt, extending from Wadi Halfa to the South of Cairo.
2. Lower Egypt (Nile Delta), extending from the South of Cairo to the Mediterranean coast in the north.

2- Western Desert

The Western Desert occupies an area of about 671,000 Sq. km, i.e.; 68% of the country’s total area, extending from the Nile Valley in the east to the Egyptian-Libyan borders in the west and from the Mediterranean coast in the north to Egypt’s southern borders with Sudan.

The Western Desert terrain is dominated by sand dunes, extending from north to south. It is divided into two sections:

1. The northern section extending from the Mediterranean coast to the Great Depressions area.
2. The southern section, extending from the south of the Great Depressions area to the borders of Sudan.

With an area of about 225,000 Sq. km, i.e.; 25% of the country’s total area. The Eastern Desert marked with the eastern Mountain range along the Red Sea coast, with peaks that rise up to about 2000 meters above sea level.

4- Sinai Peninsula

With an area of about 61,000 Sq.km, i.e.; 6% of the country’s total area, the Sinai Peninsula is triangular in shape, with the base in the north and apex in the south. It is bounded by the Mediterranean coast to the north, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, and the Sue canal to the west.

Climate

Climate is determined by many factors, chief of which are location, terrain and overall system of atmospheric pressure and water surfaces. Basically (Egypt lies within the dry tropical region, except for the northern parts that lie within the warm moderate region, with a climate similar to the Mediterranean region, characterized by hot dry summers, and moderate winters with little rainfall, increasing along the coastal areas.

Annual average temperature in Lower Egypt ranges from 20" centigrade during the day to 7" centigrade at night. In Upper Egypt average temperature range from a maximum of 25" centigrade to a minimum of 17" centigrade.

Natural Resources

Egypt’s land area is about 238 million feddans, of which only 7.7 million feddans are cultivated, while the remaining part consists of desert, lakes and territorial waters.

Water Resources

Egypt depends, for its water supply on three fresh water sources namely: surface water from the River Nile, rain and storm water and subterranean water. While the Nile remains, for Egypt, as the main source of fresh water, there are additional, albeit limited resources consisting of the following:

Quantity of water available for use at present is 61.61 billion cubic meters per annum, broken down as follows:

53.3 billion cubic meters of Nile water from the Aswan Dam reservoir, to irrigate cultivated land (old and newly reclaimed).

 3.3 billion cubic meters of underground water, in the Delta, Upper Egypt and Sinai, for drinking purposes.

7.2 billion cubic meters of recycled agricultural drainage water, for non-consumer purposes.

Water Resources Forecast for the Year 2000.

57.5 billion cubic meters of Nile water.

4.6 billion cubic meters of underground water in the Delta and Nile valley.

7 billion cubic meters of recycled agricultural drainage water.

1.1 billion cubic meters from the water management programme.

2.5 billion cubic meters of underground water from deep wells in the desert.

Total forecast water resources for the year 2000 are estimated at 73.7 billion cubic meters.

Mineral Resources

The Arab Republic of Egypt has a large wealth of major minerals, particularly petroleum, phosphate, iron and manganese.

Population

The 1996 census shows the following:

Males accounted for 51.2% of the population and females 48.8%, reflecting the same percentage of the 1986 census.

The number of people residing within the country rose to 59,272,382 from 48,254,238 in 1986; Egyptian expatriates abroad, on temporary immigration basis fell to 2,180,000 against 2,250.000 in 1986, in addition to 720,000 permanent Egyptian immigrants abroad. According to United Nations’ data, Egypt ranked, in terms of population, seventeenth among world countries.

In 1996, annual population growth rate in urban areas dropped to 1.85% compared to 2.1% in 1986, and to 2.28% in rural areas.

Population of Cairo Governorate rose to 6,789,479 in 1996, with an increase of 720,784, at a percentage pf 11.9% compared to the 1986 census. In terms of population, Cairo ranks the twenty first in the order of world cities. The labor force rose to 17,795,647, accounting for 35.4%of the total population, compared to 13,400,387 accounting for 34.4% of total population in 1986.

Rate of immigration of population from rural to urban areas decreased by 1%.

Family size decreased to 4.6 persons compared to 4.9 persons according to the 1986 census.

Rate of illiteracy dropped by 11%. According to the 1996 census, the number of illiterate persons at the age of ten and above was 17,347,745, representing, 38.6% of the total population, compared to 17,147,597 illiterates according to the 1986 census, representing 49.6%.

The number of new cities in 1996 rose to 19 compared to 9 in 1986.

All the 1996 census indicators show that Egypt, having successfully implemented the economic reform policy as recognized by international economic institutions, has managed to address its social problems, particularly those of population, illiteracy, construction of new urban communities, moving out of the old valley to the south and extending infrastructure facilities to towns, villages and even squats.

Population Growth Rate

Specific Age Groups (1996/97 – 1997/1998)

Population Density

The pattern of population distribution in Egypt is unique among world countries. Therefore, it is the object of the population policy to redistribute population to various geographical regions, making full use of the unexploited vast areas and natural wealth by focusing on alternative areas in new cities and various urban communities. Sustained efforts are underway for the development of rural areas in Egypt with the purpose of curbing migration to urban areas. It is not worthy that the National Project for the Development of Sinai, with its many economic and strategic advantages will contribute to the easing of over-crowdedness by providing opportunities for settling about 2.9 million people and accelerating development rates.

Language

Arabic is the official language of the State.

1.2 Political/ Geographic Structure of the Country

Arab Republic of Egypt is consists of 26 provinces ( governorates) each with a Governor.

The capital city, Cairo is the seat of government and is the place where most diplomatic missions have their offices.

The twenty six Governorates ( provinces ) are:

Nine provinces located at north Delta are:

Eight provinces located at upper Egypt

 Three Provinces located at Suez Canal Area

 Two Provinces located at Sinai

 Located at the Border of the country

The major industries in Egypt are:

Textile and Cotton industry

Mining (Petrol oil, Natural gas, Phosphate, Manganese, Iron)

Fertilizers industries (phosphate & Nitrogenous fertilizers)

Aluminum industry

Steel and Iron industries

Cement industries

Carpet industries

Agricultural Sectors:

Egyptians economy are based on agriculture .The total crops area are

Around 136,94 Thousand of Acres (Winter, Summer,Nile and Garden Crops).

The main crops grown in Egypt are Rice, Cotton, Wheat, Sugar cane

Vegetables and Fruits.

The use of agrochemical is decreased than before due to the restricted regulations and awareness of the public to the harmful Impact of chemicals.

Table 1.A: Overview of the Industrial and Agricultural Sector

Table 1.B: Structure of the Manufacturing/Agricultural Sector/Governmental

1 : 1 to 10 employees(Industrial)/1to10 Acres(Agricultural)

2 : 10 to 100 employees(Industrial)//10 to20 Acres(Agricultural)

3 : 100 to 500 employees(Industrial)/20 to 50 Acres(Agricultural)

4 : More than 500 employees(Industrial)/More than 100

Acres(Agricultural).

Table 1.C: Breakdown of Agricultural Production by Region

1 Metric Qentar in thousands

2 Ton in Million

Table 1. D: Breakdown of Industrial Production by Region -94/95