Egypt

Capital : Cairo

Sini

Size: 387 000 sq m Popn: 55 163 000

History

At the end of the Dynastic Period, Egypt was ruled by a family of Macedonians descended from Alexander the Great's general Ptolemy, from 310 BC until coming under the control of the Roman Empire under Julius Caesar. This lasted from 30 BC until 395 AD when Byzantium or Constantinople took over after the fall of Rome.

The country then came under Arab influence and was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from 1517-1805. The Khedeval Period lasted from 1805-1914 when Egypt became a British Protectorate and in 1922 a monarchy was established. Although the British occupation ended in 1936, troops were still stationed there until 1954 when they left after increased guerrilla activity and the deposition of King Farouk. The country was declared a Republic in 1953.

Russia and America have both made financial contributions but the major influences on politics and the economy are the extremely high rate of population increase and Islamic fundamentalism. The Christian Coptic church is also present and languages such as French and English are widely spoken with the official Arabic.

(For names and history from the time of the pharaohs, see

Ancient Egypt

)

Egyptian Names

Male

Female

Surnames

Rulers

Ikshidid Dynasty

Khedives

Kings

This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.

Copies may be made for personal use only.