There are about 7 hundred hieroglyphs. It ranks higher than Iraq and Saudi Arabia which ranks 2nd and 3rd respectively. 3Egypt. CIAThe World Factbook. Giraffe tails were also seen as symbols of authority, Khnum was one of the earliest Egyptian deities, Because young scarab beetles seemed to emerge spontaneously from their burrows, ancient Egyptians called them "Khepera," which means "he was came forth", Egyptologists believe that the ankh may represent a combination of male and female essences, Egyptian women risked their lives to lead protests and actively particpate in the 2011 revolution, Important Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. These animals were a popular target for sport hunters in ancient Egypt and historical records indicate that the Pharaoh also enjoyed this pastime. We might look at Ancient Egypt as a quick snapshot in time King Tut only ruled for 10 years, after all. The colours represent oppression (black), bloody struggle (red) and a bright future (white). The birth expectancy rate is about 2.97 kids per woman. 100 Things You Should Know about Ancient Egypt. 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. Experience its wonder and beauty with our interesting Swaziland facts. 1. 51. Toilets were also included in some ancient Egyptian tombs. [20] Egyptians used vast amounts of linen to mummify a body. Population: 100.4 million. Do you know any Egyptian fun facts? Summer, which is from May to October, is very hot. They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores! Ancient Egyptians believed that the soul of the king ascended along the ramp of the suns rays to the sun god himself, By the time Ramses II died at about 90 years old, he was suffering from severe dental problems, arthritis and hardening of the arteries, The ancient Egyptians regarded beauty as a sign of holiness, which is why cosmetics were integrated heavily into daily lives. Unsplash. It is the capital city of Egypt and the largest at that- however, Memphis was the capital city of Egypt during the Early Dynastic Period which fell between 3,100 and 2,686 BC. 2. This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings! Egypt has the oldest prosthetic limb in the world. Start with these 67 fun facts about Egypt. Egypt is known for their two major deserts, the Libyan and the Sahara desert. explore and learn delivered straight to your inbox. A priest often wore the jackal-headed mask of the, The Copts are the largest Christian community in Egypt and in the Middle East. Wife of Osiris; guardian and magician. For almost 3,000 years (from around 3100 BC to 332 BC), ancient Egypt was the most notable civilisation in the Mediterranean world. Source: History Channel. Located on the northeast corner of Africa, Egypt is home to one of the world's earliest and greatest civilizations, with a unified kingdom first surfacing around 3,200 B.C. 9. It was used to predict when the Nile River would flood. 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. Egyptians used the name Aset (alternatively spelled as Ast, Iset or Uset.) Population: 96.5 million. 21. Work in Egypt. Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. They were thought to bring good luck. Love ancient history? Yup, it's just another one of those cool things about Egypt. This puts strain on Egypts resources, since most people live in a narrow strip of land along the Nile River. 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. It is the most populous country in North . Even pharaohs joined in on the fun! In fact, its the biggest embankment dam in the world. 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. 28. They have won the Africa Cup of Nations tournament seven times, qualified for the FIFA World Cup three times and, in 1934, became the first team outside the Americas and Europe to participate in the World Cup. Source: Britannica1, Britannica2, FIFA (pdf), 17. The capital of Egypt is Cairo. The rest of Egypt is largely covered by the Sahara Desert. At least 118 pyramids were built by the pharaohs as royal tombs. Source: Reuters, National Geographic, 9. The population of Egypt was 94,798,827 according to a 2017 census. 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. 6. However, Egypt has a lot of pyramids. 12. 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. Interesting facts about Egypt 1. 10 weird facts about ancient Egyptians that will surprise you. 32. 65. 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. Egypt. Ramses II was publicly unwrapped in June 1886 in just 15 minutes. Often has the hieroglyph of her name on her head. and may have started as early wall paintings. 2. Ancient Egyptian tomb builders had their own guarded villages. February 21, 2011. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show personalised ads. Source: History Channel, 10. 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. With only a few grasslands and forests, wildlife is not common in Egypt. 1. This ancient country, which is often referred to as one of the Cradles of Civilization, is an incredible contrast between old and new. Another fascinating fact about the pyramids is that there exists an intricate web of passages, shafts, and chambers within, and underneath, the pyramids at Giza. 38. in the north. 18 Interesting Facts About Mushrooms. 9. Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. Much of what people know about Egypt is as a result of hieroglyphic writing found in archeological sites. The best places to see Egypts wildlife are in its 21 protected regions, which include oases, deserts, mountains, coastal areas, river islands and wetlands. The country has one of the longest histories of any other on the planet, dating back more than 5,000 years! Egyptian hieroglyphs have over 700 symbols. Weve just returned from a fantastic few weeks in Egypt, and there is so much, Are you planning a trip to this Northern African country and wondering what to wear in Egypt? The world's oldest D20 dice was found in Egypt. Egypt are the most successful national football team in Africa. 13 Remarkable Facts about Mount Kilimanjaro, 13 Fun Facts about the Atlas Mountains, 13 Sensational Facts about The Serengeti, #ThrowbackThursday: The River Ganges A Sacred Place for Spiritual Cleansing. Search for Tutankhamuns hidden chambers continues. Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbolsby checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature. Bordered partly by the Mediterranean and Red Sea, Egypt borders Africa and the Middle East, sitting between the Gaza Strip, Israel, Libya and Sudan. 40. The best places to see Egypts wildlife are in its 21 protected regions, which include oases, deserts, mountains, coastal areas, river islands and wetlands.Egyptians have always been close to the natural world. Learn more with our balanced list of interesting Islam facts. Visitors are expected to take off their shoes before going into religious buildings. Modern Egypt Image They also invented clocks. Natasha is the co-founder of The World Pursuit. 2017 - Serious Facts All Rights Reserved. Accessed: April 28, 2011. It means great house because everyone believed the kings. You are absolutely right, its not. In Africa, only South Africa (10), Ethiopia (9),Morocco(9) andTunisia(8) have more. Source: UNESCO, 8. Yes, you read that correctly. and was the eldest daughter of Ptolemy XII (Auletes), the Pharaoh of Egypt. The national currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Accessed: April 18, 2011. The life expectancy of Egyptians is approximately 72.66 years, which ranks 124th in the world. Source: National Geographic, 15. Egypt is famous for its ancient civilisation. The average life expectancy is 72.66 years, with males living for about 70.07 years while the female range at 75.38 years. It signifies the Cobra Goddess and the legend is that she protects the Pharaoh by spitting fire at enemies. Ancient Egyptians needed to predict when the Nile would flood, which led to the development of the worlds first calendar. The vast majority of Egypt's dead were buried in simple pits in the desert. Worshipped like sacred deities, most homes had a cat and it was treated like royalty. This is one of the most interesting facts about Egypt! 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. Standing at 2,629 meters (8625 feet), Mount Catherine is the highest mountain in Egypt. The shape of the Egyptian pyramids is said to have been inspired by the sun rays. Flag of Egypt. The Ancient Egyptian civilization spanned more than 3,000 years. 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. 3) The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. Contrary to what most people believe, the largest pyramid in the world is not found in Egypt. Trending 40 Interesting and Surprising Nigeria Facts . The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C. With over 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, Islam is the second most popular religion. Required fields are marked *. It was a wooden toe that was fitted for a woman who lived around 1000 BC. Accessed: May 5, 2011. It has an area of 1,001,450 square km. 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. In this country, the amount of income tax for individuals is 22.5%, and for companies 22.5% (2018). Its common practice in many cultures around the world, including western ones, but the custom of exchanging wedding rings started in ancient Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza is around 4,500 years old making it the oldest of the ancient worlds seven wonders. when King Menes (also called Narmer) united the Upper and Lower Kingdoms. There are so many places to visit in Egypt! Although born in Alexandria, she was of Greek lineage. The Nile is the second-longest river on earth, running 4,100 miles from Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea. The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the countrys north coast.Southern Egypts landscape contains low mountains and desert.