Faraway Places Travel News

If you are looking for a travel destination featuring famous historical sites, majestic monuments, and plenty of things to do, no country fits the bill more than Egypt. Who hasn’t heard of the ancient Pharaohs, the famous pyramids, King Tutankhamen (King Tut), Cairo, the Sphinx, and ancient Egyptian mummies? For all these reasons, Egypt is among the top tourist destinations in the Middle East region, visited by the thousands every year.

Yet by far the oldest and most famous geographical element of Egypt is the Nile River. The Nile River of today, said to be the longest river in the world, is the same Nile River of yesteryears mentioned in the Bible. Ever since the dawn of man the Nile has sustained the Egyptian people by providing water for human life and for the land. In ancient times, if the banks of the Nile River did not overflow each year, there would be no water to irrigate the land, crops would not grow, and a famine would ensue. Later on, when waterways began to be used as thoroughfares for trade, the Nile served Egypt well economically and politically, placing it good standings with neighboring countries. Still today, over 90% of Egypt’s major cities and attractions are lined up along the banks of the Nile River, which is why Nile cruises are so popular and considered one of the best ways to learn about the history of Egypt.

Here are some more facts about the Nile River that perhaps you didn’t know :

• The name Nile comes from the Greek word “Neilos,” which means valley
• The Nile begins near the equator, flows north along the Saharan Desert, and ultimately empties into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
• The river is said to be 4,184 miles (6695 km) in length
• The river flows through nine countries but is most strongly associated with Egypt and Uganda
• The remaining countries through which the Nile travels are: Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zaire, Tanzania, Sudan, and Burundi

What else can you expect to be included in Egypt tour packages? The list is long, but here are some of the highlights.

Pyramids of Giza: Nothing behooves the mind more than these perfectly aligned triangular structures, built entirely by hand without the aid of modern construction tools and machinery. The three pyramids will leave you in awe and must be included on any Egypt trip itinerary.

The Sphinx: If you were mesmerized by the Great Pyramids, you will be equally baffled by the Sphinx, another towering Egyptian pyramid. For centuries, archeologists have joked about solving the “Riddle of the Sphinx,” as its massive yet perfect structure defies the mind and boggles the eye.

Abu Simbel: Built by Pharaoh Ramesses II in commemoration of himself and his wife, these two temples are breathtaking in their beauty and much effort has gone into their preservation.

Cairo: Of course, no visit to Egypt is complete without visiting its capital city, Cairo. As the center of culture and national pride, the city is home to many fine eateries featuring traditional Middle Eastern dishes, as well as hotels and hostels to accommodate its many visitors. Located in the heart of Cairo is the Egypt Museum, containing thousands of genuine Egyptian artifacts collected by archeologists. Finally, don’t forget to stroll through Cairo’s famous bazaars and pick up some Egyptian souvenirs.

Valley of the Kings: If you don’t find the concept too creepy, take a trip to the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt’s most famous Pharaohs are buried. Here you will find the world renowned King Tutankhamen’s Tomb as well as secret passageways and buried treasures supposedly laid to rest along with their owners.

Follow these links for more information: Nile cruises, Egypt tour packages