Egypt

Egypt is a transcontinental country linking the north-eastern corner of Africa and the south-western corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt's capital and largest city is Cairo, and Alexandria, the second largest city, is a major industrial and tourist center on the Mediterranean coast. With one of the longest histories of any country, Egypt's heritage along the Nile Delta dates back to the 6th-4th millennia BC. Considered the birthplace of civilization, ancient Egypt was the site of some of the earliest developments in writing, agriculture, urbanization, organized religion and central government. The iconic monuments like the Giza Pyramid Complex and the Great Sphinx, along with Memphis, Thebes, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, are reflections of this heritage and remain a focus of academic and public interest. The Nile is the vital axis of Egypt, and the land along the river is made fertile by irrigation. The Nile Valley is home to cotton, cereals, sugar cane, beans, oilseeds and peanuts, Date palm, sycamore, carob and acaci. Fruit trees were also planted and eucalyptus was introduced. Grapes, vegetables and flowers are grown in the lush delta soil. The papyrus reeds that once lined the river are now restricted to the southernmost reaches, as are the crocodiles and hippos. Egypt, especially the Nile Valley and the deltaic regions, is home to a wealth of birds. Predatory bird species are vultures, eagles, falcons, hawks and owls. Egypt lies on the main bird migration route between Eurasia and East Africa, with around 200 species of birds passing through twice a year.