In terms of its physical geography, Egypt can be divided into four main regions: the Nile valley and delta, the Eastern Desert, the Western Desert, and the Sinai Peninsula. However, when considering both physical and cultural characteristics, the country can be further divided into subregions: the Nile delta, the Nile valley from Cairo to south of Aswān, the Eastern Desert and the Red Sea coast, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Western Desert and its oases.
Approximately half of the population in the delta consists of peasants, either small landowners or laborers, who rely on the land for their livelihood. The remaining population resides in towns or cities, with Cairo being the largest. Overall, the delta population has had more exposure to the outside world, particularly the Middle East and Europe, compared to the inhabitants of the more remote southern valley. They tend to be less traditional and conservative than those in other regions of the country.
The inhabitants of the valley from Cairo up to Aswān governorate, known as the Ṣaʿīdīs, are generally more conservative than the people in the delta. In some areas, women still adhere to wearing veils in public, and family honor holds great importance. The vendetta, although illegal, is still accepted as a means of resolving disputes between groups. Prior to the construction of the High Dam, the Aswān governorate was one of the poorest regions in the valley and the most isolated from external influences. However, it has since experienced improved economic prosperity.
The majority of the sedentary population in the Eastern Desert resides in the few towns and settlements along the coast, with Raʾs Ghārib being the largest. Accurate figures for the nomadic population are not available, but they are estimated to make up about one-eighth of the region’s total population. These nomads belong to various tribal groups, including the Ḥuwayṭāt, Maʿāzah, ʿAbābdah, and Bishārīn, from north to south. The Eastern Desert has a larger population of true nomads compared to the Western Desert due to the availability of pasture and water. They sustain themselves through herding goats, sheep, or camels, as well as through trade with mining and petroleum camps or fishing communities along the coast.
In the Western Desert, outside of the oases, the habitable areas near the coast are occupied by the Awlād ʿAlī tribe. Apart from small groups of camel herders in the south, the population is no longer entirely nomadic. Less than half of the population are seminomadic herdsmen, while the rest are settled and engage in activities such as fruit growing, fishing, trading, and handicrafts, in addition to maintaining herds of sheep and goats. The Western Desert supports a larger population compared to the Eastern Desert. Marsā Maṭrūḥ, a popular summer resort on the Mediterranean Sea, is the only urban center, while other scattered communities are mainly found near railway stations and along the northern cultivated strip. The oases, although geographically part of the Western Desert, have distinct ethnic and cultural characteristics. The southern oases of Al-Khārijah and Al-Dākhilah have been developed to some extent as part of a reclamation project focused on utilizing underground water resources. Other oases include Al-Farāfirah, Al-Baḥriyyah, and Siwa.
The majority of the population in the Sinai Peninsula are Arabs, with many settling around Al-ʿArīsh and the northern coastal area. However, significant numbers in the central plateau and the Sinai mountains continue to lead a nomadic or seminomadic lifestyle. Another concentration of sedentary population can be found at Al-Qanṭarah, on the east side of the Suez Canal.
The Egyptian countryside, from the delta to the High Dam, displays a high degree of uniformity, with minor variations from north to south.
Typical rural settlements consist of compact villages surrounded by extensively cultivated fields. These villages have populations ranging from 500 to over 10,000. They share a similar physical appearance and design throughout the country, with slight local differences in building materials, design, and decoration. The landscape is characterized by date palms, sycamore and eucalyptus trees, and Casuarina species. In the past, the Nile was the only source of drinking water, so many villages were built along its canals. Some of the oldest villages are situated on mounds, remnants of the days of basin irrigation and annual flooding.
In the delta, houses are typically one or two stories high and made of mud bricks plastered with mud and straw. In the southern parts of the valley, more stone is used. The houses are connected in a continuous row. Windows in these houses are small and allow limited air and light to enter. The roofs are flat and made of layers of dried date-palm leaves, with palm-wood rafters. Corn and cotton stalks, as well as dung cakes for fuel, are stored on the roofs. Small cone-shaped silos made of plastered mud are built on the roofs for grain storage, sealed to protect against insects and rodents. Rooftops are also popular sleeping spots during hot summer nights.
The houses of poorer peasants typically consist of a narrow passageway, a bedroom, and a courtyard, which may also serve as an enclosure for farm animals. Furniture is minimal. Ovens made of plastered mud are built into the walls of the courtyard or inside the house. In larger and more prosperous villages, houses are constructed with burnt bricks reinforced with concrete, offering more space and often accommodating extended families. Signs of prosperity in these houses include furniture, running water, bathroom installations, and electricity.
Common features of smaller Egyptian villages, both in the delta and the valley, include a mosque or church, a primary school, a decorated pigeon cote, government service buildings, and a few shops. Most people in these villages are engaged in agriculture. In larger villages, there may be professional and semiprofessional residents, as well as artisans, skilled workers, and shopkeepers. Some larger settlements still have combined service units, which include modern buildings housing social service units, village cooperatives, health units, and schools. However, most government establishments of this kind were disbanded by the early 21st century. Many rural communities now rely on similar services provided by nongovernmental Islamic organizations.
Villages are typically accessed via unpaved dirt roads, unless they are located on a highway. Within the villages, roads mainly consist of narrow, winding footpaths. However, all villages have at least one motorable road.
The Western Desert oases are not compact villages but rather small, scattered settlements surrounded by patches of green cultivation. They are often separated from each other by sandy areas. Al-Khārijah, for example, is the largest of five dispersed villages. Traditionally, the houses in these oases were up to six stories high, made of packed mud, and clustered closely together for defense. Modern houses in the oases are usually two stories high and more spaced out.
The towns in Egypt, although classified as urban for census purposes, can actually be seen as large villages with a significant population engaged in agriculture and rural activities. Even though some towns gained urban status in the latter half of the 20th century, they still maintain a predominantly rural character. However, these towns are home to government officials, traders, industrial workers, technicians, and professionals. One notable feature of both towns and larger cities is the presence of a rural fringe. As urban areas expand, agricultural land is encroached upon, resulting in a haphazard mix of urban dwellings and apartment buildings amidst fields. The lack of town or city planning and adherence to building regulations is evident, with mud village houses often incorporated within city limits.
In towns and smaller cities, buildings typically consist of two-story houses or four to six-story apartment blocks. The more well-maintained structures are lime-washed, featuring flat roofs and numerous balconies. On the other hand, other houses and buildings are often made of unpainted red brick and concrete.
While most cities in Egypt lack distinct features, certain cities like Cairo, Alexandria, and Aswān possess unique characteristics. Cairo, in particular, is a bustling metropolis with architectural representations spanning over a millennium of history. Greater Cairo, including Al-Jīzah and other suburban settlements, as well as Alexandria and the important towns along the Suez Canal such as Port Said, Ismailia, and Suez, exhibit a modern appearance similar to other major urban centers worldwide.
Egypt’s population distribution along the Nile River is a unique phenomenon that has significant implications for the country’s infrastructure and resources. With over two-fifths of the population residing in urban areas, the strain on services and amenities is palpable. The population density along the Nile is remarkably high, with some governorates exceeding 5,000 individuals per square mile. This concentration of people along the river necessitates careful urban planning and resource management to ensure the well-being of the population. One of the most pressing challenges facing Egypt is its rapidly growing and predominantly youthful population. Approximately one-third of Egyptians are under the age of 15, and nearly three-fifths are under 30. This demographic trend presents both opportunities and challenges for the country. On one hand, a young population can drive economic growth and innovation. On the other hand, a large youth population places strain on social services and infrastructure, particularly with regards to education and healthcare. To address the economic strain caused by the country’s expanding population, Egypt implemented a national family planning program in 1964. This program was successful in reducing the birth rate, particularly in urban areas. By the 1990s, Egypt had made significant progress in curbing population growth. Additionally, advancements in healthcare have played a crucial role in improving the overall well-being of the population. The infant mortality rate in Egypt has significantly decreased, surpassing the global average by the start of the 21st century. As a result of these improvements in healthcare and family planning, the average life expectancy in Egypt has risen to around 72 years for men and 74 years for women. This increase in life expectancy is a testament to the strides that Egypt has made in improving the health and well-being of its population. However, challenges still remain, particularly in ensuring that the country’s youth have access to quality education and employment opportunities to secure a prosperous future.
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