Egypt: An Overview

Egypt is country with a hot, dry, desert climate and lies on the far northeastern corner of the African continent. It has been home to the oldest civilizations and the most iconic man made and well as natural elements. Bordering Egypt is the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Libya to the west, and the Sudan to the south. Most of the Egyptian country side is desert aside from a narrow strip of land running parallel to the Nile River. This Nile River Basin provides Egypt with its only nutrient rich soils for agriculture. Much of the Egyptian desert is flat, on the southwestern tip and along the easter coast and Sinai Peninsula the landscape become mountainous.

The Nile River has been providing Egypt with nutrients, agriculture and food sources(animals) for centuries. The ancient Egyptians began attempting to harness the Nile's power, attempting to control where the water goes and how much goes there by using early forms of dams. Over the years the Nile not only affected the survival of  the Egyptian people, but it also began to influence religion, culture, and politics.

The capital of Egypt is Cairo. Cairo lies at 30°2′N 31°13′E / 30.033°N 31.217°E / 30.033; 31.217. Cairo lies on the northeastern corner of Egypt in the midst of the Nile River Delta. Most Egyptian cities sit along the coast, or the Nile River. This was because the Nile provided the only source for water and nutrients for food. The rest of Egypt was desert, providing little in the means of support to its citizens. The Nile played key roles when it came to wars, invasions etc, because enemies knew if the Nile was taken there was little chance for survival.

Sources:
http://www.mapsofworld.com/egypt/geography/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/nile_01.shtml