EGYPT: our 5th stop on the World Race =D
Everyone knows something about Egypt! From Hollywood to Biblical history,
Egypt is about as well known as Starbucks! haha.
what comes to mind when you think of Egypt?
pyramids?
camels?
mummies?
perhaps Moses and the 10 plagues?
Egypt has been around foreeeeva, and its history is as expansive as the red sea. So, since we’ll be gracing this legendary country with our presence, let’s see what ancient arti-facts we can dig up about it!
In ancient times, cat’s were worshiped by Egyptians, and made to wear gold earrings. Presently, though they are still tolerated as household pets, the level of respect among Egyptians for cats has decreased.
where to start…how about way back in BC!
Jim Loy gives us an excellent overview of Egypt as is mentioned from the Bible:
“The Bible mentions Egypt several times. In particular, three stories take place in Egypt, to a large extent:
- Joseph is sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. He is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and is imprisoned. He interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, saving Egypt (and his own family) during a famine.
- Moses as a baby is adopted and raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. God talks to him through a burning bush. He tries to negotiate with Pharaoh, to let the Israelites worship in the desert. God causes Pharaoh to refuse, and Egypt is devastated by ten plagues. The Israelites flee (the Exodus); Moses parts the Red Sea so they can walk on dry land; and Pharaoh’s troops are wiped out by the waters. The Israelites wander for 40 years.
- The young Jesus and his family flee into Egypt from Herod the Great, who ordered the massacre of Jewish children.”
“The Bible calls the king of Egypt “Pharaoh.” This is apparently Hebrew for the Egyptian “Per-aa,” or “Great House.” It was one of the titles of the king, in late Egyptian history. And the Bible is the main reason we call the king “Pharaoh” to this day.”
Egypt’s history has been dotted with a plethora of
invasions and occupations over its 3,000 consistent years of existence.
Wikipedia states, “When Egypt fell under a series of foreign occupations after 343 BC, each left an indelible mark on the country’s cultural landscapes. Egyptian identity evolved in the span of this long period of occupation to
accommodate, in principle, two new religions, Islam and Christianity; and a new
language, Arabic, and its spoken descendant, Egyptian Arabic.”
- On June 18, 1953 Egypt became a republic, led by
President Muhammad Naguib. - In 1979 Egypt signed
a peace treaty with Israel…despite this, Israel is still considered an enemy of
Egypt…
In ancient Egypt, priests plucked every hair from their bodies including their eyebrows and eyelashes!
Present day Egypt:
Population: 78,566,635 – 99% of the population is concentrated along the Nile Valley and Delta, which equals about 5.5% of the total land mass!
Capital: Cairo – largest city in Africa and the Middle East!
Religion: Muslim – 94%
Literacy Rate: 71%
