Profile of Egypt

Official name: Arab Republic of Egypt Former name: United Arab Republic Independent since: 1922 Former colonial ruler: Great Britain Location: North Africa Area: 386,660 square miles Capital: Cairo

Population: 70.7 million (2002 est.)

Official language: Arabic

Major religions: Sunni Islam; Coptic Christianity Gross domestic product: US$258 billion (2001 est.)

Major exports: petroleum and petroleum products; cotton yarn, textiles, and clothing; basic metals and manufactures Military expenditures: US$5.04 billion (2000 est.)

After several hundred years of less centralized rule, pharaohs during the Middle Kingdom again united Upper and Lower Egypt. They placed more emphasis on justice, organization, and art. After several hundred years of weak government, pharaohs of the New Kingdom established strong leadership once again over Upper and Lower Egypt, this time with their capital at Thebes, or modern-day Luxor.

The period from Akhenaton in the fifteenth century b. c.e. to the death of Ramses II in 1220 b. c.e. was the height of Egypt's power, and its control extended far beyond the Nile Valley to Jerusalem, Damascus, and toward Baghdad. The massive construction of temples and tombs, most of which can be seen today in Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, is the most striking contribution of this period. The leadership of succeeding pharaohs grew weaker and more corrupt. In 525 b. c.e. the Persian armies had little difficulty conquering Egypt.