SFINKS & SHOARMA

Stories of the Streets

Egypt, 2008


Culture

Egypt, with its rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions and dynamic society, remains one of the most fascinating countries in the world. Social life in Egypt combines elements of modernity with deeply rooted traditions, making it a unique place on the cultural map of the world.

The main religion is Islam

90%

Number of people in Morocco

110 mln

The area of the country

1,01 mln km 2

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Egypt has an incredibly rich and complex history that stretches back thousands of years. Its culture is the result of a combination of many different influences, from ancient Egyptian civilization to Greek, Roman, Coptic and Arabic influences.

Modern Egyptian society is also ethnically and religiously diverse. The dominant religion is Islam, but there is also a significant Christian community, mainly Copts. Egyptian culture is also enriched by influences from colonial times, as well as the modernizing movements of the 20th century. Egypt is also an active participant in contemporary Arab culture, and has a strong influence on music, film, and literature in the region. It is also worth mentioning the rich Egyptian cuisine, with dishes such as koshari and ful medames popular not only in the Middle East but around the world.

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In my opinion, this is the most beautiful portrait photograph I had to take at last travel time. The shot of the Oyster Master in the background of the seafood stand adds character and authenticity. The colours and light are perfectly chosen, making the whole composition look very harmonious. You can feel the atmosphere of the place and the moment that was captured in the photo. Fish market Es-Sawira.

1. **Demography**: Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East, with a population of over 100 million. Most of the population is concentrated in the Nile Valley and Delta and in major cities such as Cairo and Alexandria.

2. **Religion**: Islam is the dominant religion in Egypt, and the vast majority of the population is Sunni Muslim. There is also a minority of Christians, mainly Copts, who have a long and significant presence in the region.

3. **Language**: The official language of Egypt is Arabic, and the Egyptian dialect is widely used in everyday communication. English and French are also widely taught and used in education and business.

4. **Culture**: Egypt has a rich culture that combines Arabic, Mediterranean, and African elements. It is known for its achievements in art, literature, music, and film. Egyptian cinematography plays an important role in the Arab world.

5. **Economy**: Egypt has a mixed economy based on agriculture, industry, and tourism. The Suez Canal is a key source of income, as are the cultural assets that attract tourists. However, the country faces economic challenges, such as unemployment and inflation.

6. **Education and Society**: Egypt invests in education, although the education system struggles with quality and accessibility. Egypt has a young population, with a large percentage of people under the age of 30, which creates both opportunities and challenges for the country's development.

7. **Politics**: Egypt has undergone many political changes, especially since the 2011 revolution that led to the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. Today, Egypt is a republic with a strong presidential system of government.

Together, these elements create the unique character of Egyptian society, which balances between tradition and modernity, struggling with the various challenges of the modern world.

Egypt is mainly characterized by a desert landscape, dominated by the Sahara and large sand dunes and oases. In the Nile Valley, which is the country's life-giving river, there are fertile agricultural areas surrounded by golden desert sands.

Cairo

The capital of Egypt is Cairo, the largest city in the country and one of the largest in Africa and the Middle East. It is located in the northern part of Egypt, on the eastern bank of the Nile. Cairo has a rich history dating back to antiquity, although the city itself was founded in 969.

Kair jest znany ze swojej zróżnicowanej architektury, która łączy elementy islamskie, koptyjskie oraz nowoczesne. Stare Miasto Kairu, wpisane na listę światowego dziedzictwa UNESCO, jest pełne wąskich uliczek, meczetów i bazarów, takich jak Khan el-Khalili. Z kolei współczesna część miasta charakteryzuje się nowoczesnymi budynkami i luksusowymi hotelami.

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Egypt, 2008


Desert landscape


Egypt is characterized by a diverse landscape, with vast deserts such as the Sahara and the Arabian Desert dominating the country. The Nile Valley and its delta have fertile lands that contrast with the arid surroundings and are a key region for agriculture and human settlement.

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The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most famous and recognizable sites in the world, located on the Giza Plateau, near Cairo, Egypt. They are part of a larger complex of ancient monuments that also include the Sphinx, several smaller pyramids, temples and cemeteries.

The most famous pyramids are:
1. **Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)** - This is the largest and oldest of the three main pyramids at Giza. Built around 2560 BC, it was for a long time the tallest man-made structure, originally reaching a height of around 146.6 meters.

2. **Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre)** - It is slightly smaller than the Great Pyramid, but appears taller due to its location on higher ground. It is characterized by the preserved part of the outer cladding near the top.

3. **Pyramid of Menkaure** - The smallest of the three main pyramids, it was originally around 65 meters high.

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The Great Sphinx is a statue with a lion's body and a human head, believed to represent the pharaoh Khafre. It is one of the oldest and largest monolithic statues in the world, measuring approximately 73 meters long and 20 meters high.

Considered to be the guardian of the Giza necropolis, its exact date of construction, purpose, and the identity of its creator remain a matter of debate among archaeologists.

The pyramids and the Sphinx are part of a larger necropolis complex that also includes numerous smaller pyramids, temples, and mastabas. These monumental structures have fascinated researchers and tourists from around the world for centuries, delighting with their grandeur and the secrets hidden in the history of their construction.

For centuries, the Sphinx was partially buried in sand, which helped preserve it but also required a lot of maintenance work. Today, it is one of the most important tourist attractions in Egypt, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.

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The Sphinx as a symbol continues to fascinate contemporary researchers and artists, providing inspiration and a challenge for interpretation in various fields of culture. The combination of human and animal characteristics represents harmony between mind and body, as well as between the physical and spiritual worlds.

In Egypt, shoarma is a popular street food and one of the most recognizable dishes of Middle Eastern cuisine. In Egypt, as in other countries in the region, shoarma is made from meat that is marinated in a mixture of spices and roasted on a vertical spit. Shoarma is a dish consisting of thinly sliced ​​meats that are marinated and then cooked on a vertical spit. It is often made with lamb, chicken, beef or turkey. The key to authentic shoarma is the spice mix used in the marinade, which usually includes ingredients such as garlic, cumin, turmeric, paprika and sometimes cinnamon. Once cooked, the meat is shaved off the spit into thin slices and usually served on a flatbread such as pita, along with a variety of toppings such as tahini, garlic sauce, hummus, pickles and salads. Shoarma is appreciated around the world for its flavorful, juicy meat and a variety of toppings, making it a popular street food option.