Egypt (Istastioner's Universe)

The Coptic Republic of Egypt Arabic: جمهورية مصر القبطية (cintan maser al-qabtiyya)
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Motto: "من الأخمينيين ، إلى الرومان ، إلى البيزنطيين ، والعثمانيين ، ستبقى مصر دائما." "From the Achaemenids, to the Romans, to the Byzantines, and to the Ottomans, Egypt will always stand."
Anthem: "نشيد العرب القبطيين" (The Coptic Arab's Anthem in English)
Capital	Alexandria
Official languages	Arabic (Coptic Arabic) Coptic (dejure)
Religion (2040)	90.3% Christianity -75.1% Coptic Orthodoxy -14.8% Coptic Catholicism -0.1% Other Christian 10.5% Islam 0.2% No religion ~1% Other
Government	Unitary Semi-Presidential Constitutional republic
• President	Hani Azer
• Vice President	Dina Powell
Establishment
• Establishment of the Khedivate of Egypt	January 23, 1867
• Independence from Great Britan	October 12, 1950
Area
• Total	950,144 km2 (366,853 sq mi) (27)
Population
• 2040 census	105,798,827
• Density	111/km2 (287.5/sq mi) (98th)
Currency	Egyptian Pound (E£)
Calling code	+593
ISO 3166 code	EG
Internet TLD	.EG

Egypt, officially known as the Coptic Republic of Egypt (or جمهورية مصر القبطية in Arabic) , is the only major Christian country in the Arab world. Located in the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia, Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel. With a population of over 100 million people, Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third-most populous country in Africa. The official language of Egypt is Arabic, and Coptic Christianity is the predominant religion, with a small number of Muslims, Catholics, and other christians as well.

The capital of Egypt is Alexandria, which has a population of around 25,000,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the world. Other major cities in Egypt include Cairo, Giza, and Shubra El-Kheima. Egypt has a rich cultural heritage, with ancient monuments and historic sites dating back thousands of years. The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak are among the most famous landmarks in the world. Egypt is also known for its vibrant cuisine, which includes dishes such as koshari, ful medames, and taameya. The Coptic Orthodox Church is the predominant religion. The Coptic Orthodox Church has a long and rich history in Egypt, with roots dating back to the first century AD. Today, it is estimated that over 90% of Egypt's Christian population is Coptic Orthodox.

History

Ancient Egypt (5000BC - 30BC)

Egypt has a rich and complex history that spans over 5000 years. The ancient Egyptian civilization is one of the earliest and most advanced civilizations in the world and has left a lasting legacy in art, architecture, and culture.

The first known civilization in Egypt emerged around 3150 BCE, when the two kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under the rule of King Narmer. The period that followed is known as the Old Kingdom, which saw the construction of many of Egypt's most iconic monuments, including the pyramids and the Sphinx. The Old Kingdom was followed by the Middle Kingdom, a period of political and cultural resurgence, and the New Kingdom, which saw Egypt reach the height of its power and influence.

During the New Kingdom, Egypt expanded its territories through military conquests and established diplomatic relations with other major powers of the time, such as the Hittites and the Assyrians. It was during this period that Tutankhamun, one of the most famous pharaohs, ruled Egypt. However, the New Kingdom eventually declined, and Egypt was invaded by a series of foreign powers, including the Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans.

Roman & Byzantine Egypt (30BC-641)

During the Roman/Byzantine Period, Egypt became a major center of trade and commerce, with its vast resources of gold, silver, and grain. The country was also a center of early Christianity, and saw the rise of important Christian figures such as Saint Anthony and Saint Athanasius.

Islamic Egypt (641-1517)

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Egypt was ruled by a series of Islamic empires, including the Rashidun Caliphate,the Umayyad Caliphate, and the Abbasid Caliphate. These Muslim rulers remained in control of Egypt for the next six centuries, with the city of Cairo being the seat of the Fatimid Caliphate. With the end of the Ayyubid dynasty of the Fatimid Caliphate, the Mamluks, who were a Turco-Circassian military caste, took control of the Fatimid Caliphate, by about 1250. By the late 13th century, This time under Islamic rule meant that Egypt linked the Red Sea, India, Malaya, and East Indies, And during the mid-14th-century, the Black Death killed about 40% of the country's population.

Ottoman Egypt (1517-1867)

In 1517 Egypt was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, The effects of plague, also with the weakening of the economy of Egypt combined with the effects of plague left Egypt vulnerable to this foreign invasion. Egypt was always a difficult province for the Ottoman Sultans to control, due to the continuing power and influence of the Mamluks,the aforementioned military caste who had ruled the country for centuries.

The Ottoman period in Egyptian History was marked by significant economic and cultural development, but also political and social upheaval. It saw the emergence of local elites and nationalist movements, as well as the growing influence of European powers in the region. The Ottoman period laid the foundation for modern Egypt and continues to be an important part of the country's history and identity.

Khedivate of Egypt (1867–1882)

The Khedivate of Egypt was a semi-autonomous state that existed from 1867 to 1882 (1914 nominally), during the period of Ottoman Empire. It was created by the Ottoman Empire as a way to reduce the growing influence of European powers in the region, and to centralize control over Egypt and its resources. The Khedivate was governed by a Khedive, who was a ruler appointed by the Ottoman Sultan. The Khedive was responsible for managing the country's internal affairs and reporting back to the Ottoman Empire. However, the Khedive also had a degree of autonomy, and was able to make decisions regarding taxation, trade, and other matters related to Egypt's economy.

During its existence, the Khedivate saw significant economic and infrastructural development. This was largely due to the efforts of European investors and administrators, who were attracted to Egypt's natural resources, particularly cotton. Under European influence, Egypt saw the construction of railroads, telegraph lines, and other modern infrastructure projects that helped to modernize the country.

However, this period of modernization was also marked by political and social upheaval. Egypt's traditional elites were increasingly marginalized by the influx of European influence and capital, leading to rising tensions between different segments of society. This eventually culminated in the Urabi Revolt of 1879-1882, which saw the Khedive deposed and replaced with a nationalist government that aimed to modernize Egypt on its own terms.

British occupation & The Regeneratio Coptorum (1882-1951)

The Urabi Revolt of 1879-1882, which aimed to modernize Egypt on its own terms and reduce the influence of European powers, was ultimately suppressed by the combined forces of the Ottoman Empire and European powers, including Great Britain.

After the revolt was crushed, the British began to exert increasing control over Egypt, both politically and economically. In 1882, British forces landed in Alexandria to "protect British interests" and to restore order. This was the beginning of a period of British occupation, which lasted until 1922.

During the occupation, the British implemented a number of reforms aimed at modernizing and stabilizing Egypt, such as improving irrigation and agriculture, developing transportation and communication infrastructure, and promoting education. However, they also maintained strict control over the country's political and economic systems, and often favored their own interests over those of the Egyptian people.

In the early 20th century, Egypt experienced a period of political and cultural upheaval, marked by the rise of nationalist and socialist movements. During this time, Coptic Christianity, which had been in decline since the Arab conquest of Egypt in the 7th century, began to make a significant comeback. and The ever-growing Coptic Christian community in Egypt played a prominent role in the nationalist movement and helped to shape the country's political and cultural landscape.

The Regeneratio Coptorum

In the early 20th century, an event called "The Regeneratio Coptorum" (or The Rebirth of the Copts in English) caused a renewed interest in Coptic Christianity among many Egyptians after many generations of [[Wikipedia:Persecution of Copts #Islamic era |Persecution]], fueled in part by the country's nationalist movement and a desire to reclaim Egypt's pre-Islamic heritage. This led to a significant increase in the number of Coptic Christians in the country, as well as a sharp decline in the number of Muslims and by the 1950s, they had overtaken Muslims as the majority religious group in Egypt.

Independence (1950-Today)

By the 1950s the resurgence of Coptic Christianity had a profound impact on Egypt's society and culture. It led to a renewed interest in the country's ancient Christian heritage, and inspired the construction of new churches and religious institutions. However, it also led to tensions between Coptic Christians and Muslims, particularly in the years following Egypt's independence from British colonial rule in 1952.

Egypt is considered to be one of the most stable countries in the Middle East. It has a strong and diversified economy, with a growing tourism industry, a well-developed agricultural sector, and a significant industrial base. In recent years, the country has made significant strides in modernizing its infrastructure, improving social services, and strengthening its political institutions. and Coptic Christianity remains an important and influential religious group in Egypt, with millions of followers throughout the country. While the religion has faced some challenges and obstacles in recent years, it continues to play a vital role in Egypt's cultural and religious landscape.

Government of Egypt

The Government of Egypt is a presidential representative democratic republic with the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. The government is composed of three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch.

The executive branch is responsible for implementing laws and policies and is headed by the President. The President is elected by popular vote for a term of four years and may be re-elected for one additional term. The President appoints the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, who are responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the government.

The legislative branch is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is made up of 596 members who are elected for a term of five years. The Senate is made up of 300 members, 200 of whom are elected by popular vote, and 100 of whom are appointed by the President. The legislative branch is responsible for making and passing laws.

The judicial branch is independent of the other two branches and is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the law. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and is responsible for ensuring that laws are constitutional and that the government is acting within the law.

Egypt is divided into 25 governorates, each headed by a governor who is appointed by the President. The governorates are further divided into smaller administrative units known as districts.

Economy of Egypt

Egypt has a diverse economy, with agriculture, tourism, and industry being the main sectors. The country is a major producer of cotton, fruits, and vegetables, and is also home to the Suez Canal, which is a major shipping route connecting Europe and Asia. Tourism is a significant contributor to the Egyptian economy, with millions of visitors (most of which are from Istastioner) each year coming to see the country's ancient monuments, beaches, and other attractions.

Culture

Coptic art and architecture, with its distinctive style and motifs, is the dominant form of artistic expression in Egypt. This would affect the aesthetics of public spaces, religious buildings, and cultural artifacts. Monasticism is a very a prominent aspect of Egyptian culture, with more monasteries and convents throughout the country.

The use of a Coptic accent in Arabic reflects the unique cultural identity of the Coptic community and their long history of integrating with other cultures while maintaining their distinct heritage. It serves as a reminder of the diversity of the Egyptian people and the many different linguistic and cultural traditions that have shaped the country over the centuries.

Islamic Culture

Islamic traditions and practices, such as fasting during Ramadan, performing the Hajj pilgrimage, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, are observed alongside Coptic Christian holidays and traditions. This creates a rich tapestry of different religious and cultural celebrations throughout the year.

Islamic cuisine, with its unique flavors and ingredients, are another important aspect of the country's cultural landscape. Dishes such as koshari, ful medames, and stuffed grape leaves are enjoyed alongside traditional Coptic dishes. The diverse culinary traditions of Egypt would be celebrated and enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and religions.