9 Things That Will Surprise You About Travelling To Egypt

Egypt is filled with several historic and archaeological treasures that will blow your mind away. It is also one of the earliest civilizations in the history of the world, allowing you to get a first-hand experience of the rich history of the Pharaohs. To get the most out of this, tourists often ensure adequate research in a bid to gather necessary information about Egypt. In this article, we will highlight nine surprising facts about Egypt. These facts will help you appreciate why Egypt is a great place that is worth visiting. Now, let's look at 9 thrilling facts about traveling to Egypt.

1. Safety

It’s common amongst travel review blogs to have some security reservations when it comes to visiting Egypt. The truth is that Egypt is not as dangerous as people think it is. As a matter of fact, most of the tourist destinations in Egypt are likely safer than many popular destinations around the world. With a strong military presence around these sites, you will hardly find yourself in danger at any point. However, you may come across armed guards, metal detectors, and bag checks. These steps are taken to ensure maximum safety for tourists, and this is the most important fact about Egypt you need to be 100% sure of.
 

2. Unique and Tasty Cuisines

Food is another reason why Egypt is on the bucket list of many travellers; Here is another interesting fact about Egypt Egyptian dishes are rich in history, with each phase of Egypt’s civilization lending its mark to the preparation methods of its meals. Egyptian foods are tasty and rich in ingredients. Most dishes are uniquely prepared and are a standard part of celebrations and gatherings (this is a standard part of Middle Eastern culture).

You can choose between traditionally made foods such as falafel, shawarma, and kofta. Moroccan dishes such as tagine are also quite popular. One of the meals that I enjoyed when I visited Egypt for the first time is "Kushari" a mixture of rice, pasta, lentils, onions, tomato sauce, and chickpeas.
" Kushari/ Koshary" is known as the national dish of Egypt, and a bowl can be bought for about one dollar.

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3. Ancient Sites

One more Fact about Egypt is that everyone travels to Egypt for some level of culture, and historical exploration and old sites provide an avenue for this and much more. Due to Egypt's early civilization, numerous websites have been preserved over the centuries. These ancient structures tell stories of various people and times in the history of the world. From the pyramids of Giza to the Luxor temple, several millennia-old structures often expose visitors to the most puzzling mysteries known to man. Those beautiful and ancient monuments are the stuff of myths and legends that are far from being kept secret.

Another fact about Egypt to take note of is that, apart from providing immense historical and cultural value, these structures are unique and are best viewed in person. A visit to any of these ancient locations, such as the ancient tombs of the pharaohs and their hieroglyphically inscribed walls, amongst other architectural masterpieces, will surely uncover Egypt's incredible past for you.

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4. The Best Experience Is Provided By a Local Agency

The fourth Fact about Egypt is that tourists have mixed feelings about traveling with local agencies. Some people complain that it limits the fun of the holiday experience, while others feel like there is enough information on the internet already. In the case of Egypt, it is best to visit a local agency. Traveling to Egypt is best enjoyed in the company of someone who has first-hand knowledge about the history, religion, and culture of the Egyptian people. 

Vacations can be frustrating and stressful when you lack the right information. The representative(s) of local agencies provide you with the best experience because he/she knows the best spots in the city. Apart from helping in enjoying a hassle-free trip, a local agency also helps in spending less and saving more money. Several professional agencies specialize in showing you the fantastic aspects of Egyptian culture and heritage.

5. Women and Men in Egypt Have Equal Rights

The fifth Fact about Egypt is that today there is a lot of talk about equality of rights, but Egypt is rarely mentioned. Men and women in Egypt have been treated as equals in the eyes of the law since the time of the pharaohs, which may surprise you. In ancient Egyptian culture, the rights of women were recognized and adequately respected. During this time, everyone in Egypt was expected to marry and have complementary roles. This also meant that women could live unprotected by male guardians and could raise their children after being widowed or divorced.

6. You Can Go During Ramadan

I have come across many reviews where visitors were advised to avoid visiting during the holy month of Ramadan. Although Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, the observation of fasting should never stop you from visiting; on the contrary, the sixth fact about Egypt shows that it's business as usual during Ramadan (especially for the country’s tourism industry). Apart from minor changes in opening hours and the rarity of alcohol, the month-long annual fasting is unlikely to affect your trip.

7. Football Is Egypt's Most Popular Sport

The seventh Fact about Egypt is that the inclusion of sports in religious ceremonies and festivals shows that Egyptians have enjoyed games for a long time. Some popular games in ancient times included fishing, rowing, boxing, gymnastics, and weightlifting, to name a few. Today, football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the country, with "Al Ahli" being the most decorated club team on the continent. You are very likely to see teams slugging it out in open fields here and there. If you are a fan of soccer, then you will be interested to know that several international football clubs have a massive fan base in Egypt.

8. What the Egyptian Flag Represents

Another interesting fact about Egypt is that if you look closely, you will notice that the Egyptian flag is similar to the flags of Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. It consists of three colours from the Arab Liberation Flag (red, white, and black), and each colour has its own significance. The black colour on the flag represents the oppression that the Egyptians faced. Similarly, the red colour represents the bloody struggle against oppression, while the white symbolises a brighter future.

9. Egypt is the Origin of the 365-DAY Calendar

The last Fact about Egypt in our article is: "Do you know that the world once used a 360-day calendar? Well, this happened until the eighth century, when the Julian calendar was introduced (named after Julius Caesar). This calendar had 365 days every year, with an extra day every four years.

Egypt is a confluence of many amazing structures, stories, and histories. You can expect to be met with incredible surprises that will make your trip to Egypt a memorable one.

I hope you have learned a thing or two about the Facts about Egypt from this article. 
Thank you for reading.