Jordan Mayhew

LBST 2102-P91
Country Profile-Egypt
1. What is your countrys official name?
The official name for Egypt is Arab Republic of Egypt (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
2. What sort of government does your country have?
Egypt has a republican government (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
3. What types of ideologies influence your countrys government?
In the last 100 years, Egypt has developed an overall fear of their government, conservative
views, & major opposition to radical ideals (Iskander, 2012). Ancient Egyptians lived by
the term ma-at, meaning truth, order, and cosmic balance (Warren, n.d., para. 2). The
country as a whole, have come to a point of solidarity, regardless of religion.
4. Who is the head of your country?
President Abdel Fattah al-SISI was recently elected as the chief of state on June 8th 2014
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
5. Which Ethnicities can be found in your country?
Egypt is 98% Egyptian, with the remaining 2% being composed of ethnicities such as Berber,
Nubian, Bedouin, Beja, Greek, Armenian, Italian, and French (Ethnicity and Race by
Countries, n.d., Egypt).
6. Which religions can be found in your country?
90% of Egyptians are Muslim (predominantly Sunni), whereas Christians (Coptic Orthodox,
Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) make up the
remaining 10% (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
7. Which languages can be found in your country?
Arabic is the official language of Egypt; however English and French are practiced and
studied by educated classes (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
8. What are the major cities in your country?
Cairo, the capital, and Alexandria are the 2 major cities in Egypt (Central Intelligence
Agency, 2014).

9. How big is the population?

In July 2014, the estimated population of Egypt was 86,895,099 (Central Intelligence
Agency, 2014).
10. How is the economy system in your country?
The economy of Egypt is currently in turmoil. Recent changes in government and civilian
uproar have drastically slowed their economic growth. Egypt is currently receiving
foreign assistance after almost depleting their reserves.
a. Major exports/imports partners
Egypts major export partners are Italy, India, U.S., Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Libya (Central
Intelligence Agency, 2014).
Egypts major import partners are China, U.S., Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Italy
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
b. Major trader partners
Egypts major trader partners are Italy, U.S. and Turkey (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
c. What are the agricultural products
Egypts agricultural products are cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables, cattle,
water buffalo, sheep and goats (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
d. What are the industries products
Egypts industry products are textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals and light manufacturing
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
e. Energy Resources
Egypts energy resources include oil, gas, hydropower, solar-thermal power and wind (U.S.
Energy Information Administration, n.d., Overview).
11. Which domestic issues might influence your countrys foreign policy?
Religious opposition, increasing violence, import dependence, human rights and the
economic crash of Egypt influence their foreign policies.

12. Has the UN ever had to intervene in any conflict involving your country? If so, where and
what were the circumstances?
Recently, the Human Rights Committee of the UN has issued a Special Procedures
sanction on the country of Egypt. The whole countrys human rights are in shambles.
Terrible violence including but not limited to, rape, murder, bombings, beatings and
protests have over taken the country, primarily in the capital of Cairo (DisplayNews,
2013).
13. Does your country have any refugee problems? Or Internal Displaced Population
problems?
Egypt remains a transit and destination country for refugees and asylum-seekers, in
particular Eritrean, Ethiopian, Iraqi, Somali, Sudanese and Syrian refugees, as well as
Palestinians fleeing from the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria). (Egypt. n.d., para.2). The
large number of refugees in Egypt has caused dramatic price rises and inflation, scarce
employment opportunities, negative perceptions of certain nationalities and a general
deterioration of the security environment due to political instability (Egypt. n.d.,
para.4). This huge influx of refugees comes along with drug trafficking and refugee
smuggling.
14. What are some major events/conflicts in your countrys history? Why are they
important?
After being settled circa 7000 B.C., in 525 B.C. the Persian conquest invaded Egypt. This led
to Egyptians eventual ethics and moral changes (Egypt Profile., 2014). From 332 B.C. to
1922, Egypt was under the rule of Britain, Turkey, and the Romans (Egypt Profile., 2014).
Upon gaining their independence on February 28th, 1922, Egypt introduced
parliamentary elections. (Independence Day of Egypt. n.d., para. 2). Following the
1952 Egyptian revolution, in 1953, Egypt is declared a republic. (Egypt Profile, 2014).
In addition, the revolution redistributed land, and tried politicians for corruption
(Military seizes power in Egypt. n.d., para. 2). May of 1967, Egypt and Jordan sign a
defense pact. Israel says this increases danger of war with Arab states. (Egypt Profile,
2014). A short month later, the 6 day war ensues, in which Israel gains control of Sinai,
The Golden Heights, The Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and The West Bank (Egypt Profile,
2014). In 1971 the Aswan High Dam is completed. It proves to have a huge impact on
irrigation, agriculture and industry in Egypt (Egypt Profile., 2014). June 1975, the Suez
Canal is re-opened (Egypt Profile., 2014). This leads to the peace treaty with Israel
being signed in March of 1979. December 2000, Egypt agrees on a pipeline project with
Lebanon and Syria, to carry Egyptian gas under the Mediterranean to the Lebanese

port of Tripoli. (Egypt Profile, 2014). Today this pipeline is known as the SUMED
pipeline and aids to significantly increase revenue for the country (US Energy
Information Agency, 2014). In early 2005, pro-reform and opposition activists mount
anti-government demonstrations. (Egypt Profile, 2014). In November of 2006 there is a
huge upsurge in arrests of Muslim Brotherhood members., which leads to continued
violence and protests, that would eventually lead to the anti-Mubarak protests (Egypt
Profile., 2014). February of 2011, President Mubarak resigns, handing power over to the
military council (Egypt Profile., 2014). Violence and protests continue, due to the slow
pace of political change., until the election of Mohammed Morsi in June 2012 (Egypt
Profile., 2014). Morsi is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Morsi begins to oust the
military and judiciary systems involvement in law making, as well as their abilities to
make changes to his laws. This government paralysis weakens the currency and delays
a $4.8 billion IMF loan., which Egypt desperately needed. Morsi also appoints
questionable leaders, some of which had previously been enemies of the state (Egypt
Profile., 2014). Morsi resigns in June 2013, leading to several new laws being passed up
through November of the same year, including; curfews, banning restrictions on the
Muslim Brotherhood, and restrictions on public protests (Egypt Profile., 2014). In
January 2014 the Egyptians voted in a law that bans parties based on religion. to run,
leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi (Egypt Profile., 2014).
Religion is no longer king.
15. Where is your country located and how does its geography affect its political
relationships?
Egypt is located in the most north east corner of Africa. It is directly beside the Middle East,
making its relationships with those countries very important when it comes to oil and
other natural resources. Egypt controls the Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge
between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; it also controls the Suez Canal, a
sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea (Central Intelligence Agency,
2014).
16. Which countries share a border with your country?
Egypt shares borders with Islam, Libya, and Sudan (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
17. Which countries are considered allies of your country?
Egypt is allies with Libya, Israel, and until recently, the U.S.

18. Which countries are considered enemies of your country?

Islam is currently an enemy of Egypts.
19. What are the characteristics of your countrys economy?
Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place.
Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel
NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and
Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Cairo from 2004 to 2008 aggressively pursued economic
reforms to attract foreign investment and facilitate growth. Poor living conditions
combined with limited job opportunities for the average Egyptian contribute to public
discontent. After unrest erupted in January 2011, the Egyptian Government backtracked
on economic reforms, drastically increasing social spending to address public
dissatisfaction, but political uncertainty at the same time caused economic growth to
slow significantly, reducing the government's revenues. Tourism, manufacturing, and
construction were among the hardest hit sectors of the Egyptian economy, pushing up
unemployment levels, and economic growth remains slow amid political uncertainty,
government transitions, unrest, and cycles of violence. Cairo since 2011 has drawn
down foreign exchange reserves and depended on foreign assistance, particularly from
Gulf countries, to finance imports and energy products and prevent further devaluation
of the Egyptian pound, fearing higher inflation from a weaker currency. (Central
Intelligence Agency, 2014).
20. What is your countrys gross domestic product (GDP)? How does it compared to other
countries in the world?
Egypts GDP as of 2013 is $551.4 billion, making them 28th in the world (Central Intelligence
Agency, 2014).
21. When did your country become a member of the UN?
Egypt joined the UN on October 24th, 1945, making them an original member (Member
States of the United Nations, 2014).
22. Does your country belong to any intergovernmental organizations (Please check the list
of the Intergovernmental Organizations at Research Database) to the outside the UN
system such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the organization of the
petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)?
Egypt belongs to the following intergovernmental organizations: D8 (Organization for
Economic Cooperation), EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development),

G15 (The Summit Level Group of Developing Countries), G24 (Intergovernmental Group
of 24), IAEA (International Atomic Energy Association), MIGA, IFC, IBRD, and IDA (all suborganizations of The World Bank), IFAD (The International Fund for Agricultural
Development), ILO (International Labor Organization), IMF (International Monetary
Fund), IMO (International Maritime Organization), IMSO (International Mobile Satellite
Organization), ISO (International Organization for Standardization), ITSO (International
Telecommunications Satellite Organization), ITU (International Telecommunication
Union), UPU (Universal Postal Union), WCO (World Customs Organization), WHO (World
Health Organization), WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), and WMO
(World Meteorological Organization) (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
23. Does your country belong to any regional organization such as the European Union (EU),
the African Union (AU) or the Organization of American States (OAS)?
Egypt belongs to AFESD (Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development), CAEU
(Council of Arab Economic Unity), and OAPEC (Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting
Countries) (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).
24. Does your country belong to any trade organization or agreements such as American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD)?
Egypt belongs to WTO (World Trade Organization), COMESA (Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa), GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area), and has signed the
EU-Egypt Association Agreement, Agadir Free Trade Agreement, Egypt-Turkey Free
Trade Agreement, and Egypt-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (Central Intelligence Agency,
2014).
25. List 5 sources for your country's government policies. The resource list should help with
all future country related assignments.
Metz, H. (1990, January 1). Egypt. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://countrystudies.us/egypt/
Egypt's Government Services Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.egypt.gov.eg/english/home.aspx
Egypt. (2014, January 1). Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.factmonster.com/country/egypt.html
(2014, January 1). The Guardian. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.theguardian.com/us

UN, United Nations. (2014, January 1). Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.un.org/en/

1. What is the most critical problem/threat that currently affects this country? How does the
problem affect this country?
Egypt is currently stuck in the middle of the Israeli bombings on the Gaza strip. The Gaza
strip is currently ruled by the Hamas organization. Hamas is the Palestinian branch of the
Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt has outlawed. (Lynch, 2014). Egypt has been brokering
cease-fire agreements and hosting mediation locations for both sides (Stanglin, 2014). Egypts
official government position is sided with Israel. The general populace is also against Hamas;
some civilians calling the group extremist (Lynch, 2014). The government as well as the
general populace must maintain a peaceful standpoint, for fear of Israel turning against them,
and attacking.
The Egyptian foreign ministry is currently assisting in mediations. There are many sectors in
the ministry, including The cultural sector which contributes profoundly to enhancing
relationships between Egypt and various countries all over the world. (The Role of the
Ministry, n.d., para. 5.). Egypts overall reasoning for involvement includes attracting foreign
investments and to maintain current economic assistance from Israel. Egypt shares a border
with both Gaza and Israel, making the country an easy mediator. Egypt must maintain bilateral
relationships with both sides to try to keep the peace. Egypts geographic position and current
depressed economic state require the country to rely on Israel for the majority of its bail out.

2. What is another critical problem/threat that currently affects this country? How does the
problem affect this country?
Egypt has recently been accused of launching air strikes on Libya. Alongside the United Arab
Emirates, the two countries are being accused of undermining U.S. attempts at neutralizing the
current Libyan Revolution. The airstrikes are occurring against Islamic militias that have taken
over Libya since the over-throwing of Gadhafi, Libyas most recent dictator. There are multiple
sides to this controversy, some of which overlap. Egypt and the UAE are at odds with the U.S.
because they were not preview to the air strikes. The U.S. however, ultimately shares the same
views for Libyas future as Egypt and the UAE do. Libya is not in full support of Egypt and the
UAEs decisions to air strike because of their recent transition to a democratic government. All
previously mentioned sides are against the Islamic militias
Egypts governments reasoning for involvement is to prevent Libya from becoming a failed

state and a breeding ground for jihadist activity throughout the Arab world (Associated Press,
2014). Egypts general populace supports the Libya Revolution and their countries involvements
to try and help. Egyptian governments have long been involved with the situation at hand. Its
said that Egypt started intelligence collection about training camps, hideouts and barracks for
extremist groups in the east long before the air strikes ever happened (Associated Press,
2014). With the recent over throw of President Mubarak, Egyptians now feel free and want the
same for Libya. The two revolutions are almost identical. Although there is no confirmation of
Egypt and the UAEs involvement in the airstrikes, the countries are getting much support from
the surrounding Middle East. Syria is the only country so far, to present any serious protest.

Works Cited
(2014, January 1). The Guardian. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.theguardian.com/us
Associated Press, T. (2014, August 26). Egypt, United Arab Emirates airstrikes on Libya reveal
impatience with U.S. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/egypt-united-arab-emirates-airstrikes-on-libya-revealimpatience-with-u-s-1.2747249
Central Intelligence Agency. (2014, June 23). The World Factbook: Algeria. Retrieved August 27,
2014, from The World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/ag.html
Chulov, M., Dehghan, S., & Marsh, K. (2011, March 22). Libyan air strikes: Reactions around the
Middle East. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/libyan-air-strikes-middle-eastreaction
Davidson, P., & Van der Crabben, J. (2011, February 11). Achaemenid Empire. Retrieved August
29, 2014, from http://www.ancient.eu/Achaemenid_Empire/
DisplayNews. (2013, August 16). Retrieved August 28, 2014, from
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13636&LangI
D=E#
Egypt. (2014, January 1). Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.factmonster.com/country/egypt.html
Egypt. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2014, from http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e486356.html
Egypt's Government Services Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.egypt.gov.eg/english/home.aspx
Egypt profile. (2014, May 29). Retrieved August 29, 2014, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13315719
Ethnicity and Race by Countries. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014, from
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0855617.html
Independence Day of Egypt. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2014, from
http://www.123independenceday.com/egypt/

Iskander, E. (2012, May 1). Religion and politics in Egypt today: Ideological Trends and Future
Prospects. Retrieved August 27, 2014, from
http://www.academia.edu/1897715/Religion_and_politics_in_Egypt_today_Ideological
_Trends_and_Future_Prospects
Lynch, S. (2014, July 24). Egypt sides with Israel in conflict with Hamas. USA Today. Retrieved
September 1, 2014, from
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/24/egypt-opposes-hamas-gazaconflict/13043353/
Metz, H. (1990, January 1). Egypt. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://countrystudies.us/egypt/
Military seizes power in Egypt. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2014, from
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/military-seizes-power-in-egypt
Stanglin, D., & Hjelmgaard, K. (2014, August 8). As Gaza war resumes, Egypt urges new ceasefire. USA Today. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/08/08/israel-hamas-gaza-egypttalks/13762577/
The Role of the Ministry. (n.d.). Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/English/Ministry/MinistryRole/Pages/default2.aspx
UN, United Nations. (2014, January 1). Retrieved September 1, 2014, from
http://www.un.org/en/
U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis. (n.d.).
Retrieved August 28, 2014, from http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=EG
Warren, J. (n.d.). Tour Egypt: The Ethics and Morality of the Ancient Egyptians. Retrieved
August 27, 2014, from http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/ethics.htm