Egypt:
After terrorists slaughtered a busload of German tourists in 1997, tourism dropped off considerably. But a couple of years later, the lure of Egypt proved too much, and tourists began flooding in again. The government has been going out of its way to promote Egypt as a safe country, and to protect all the tourists. So expect heavy security in most tourist spots.
If you go to Egypt now, chances are, you won't be killed by terrorists, and you can enjoy Nile cruises, visits to the Sphinx and pyramids, and hanging out in Alexandria on the Mediterranean. Other Egyptian highlights include Abu Simbel, two huge temples carved into a mountain; the temples of Luxor and Karnak; and the Valley of the Kings (one of whom is Tutankhamen). Scuba diving and snorkelling are also excellent in the Red Sea near Hurghada, as the coral reef there is alive and well.
Cairo is a huge city, the biggest in Africa, so those who love the chaos of overpopulated and rundown cities will love Cairo. It's home to the wealthiest people in the country, and some of the poorest. Apart from the chaotic traffic, it's pretty safe to walk around Cairo on your own during the day, just like any European city. Most poor Egyptians live in the countryside as subsistence farmers. The countryside of Egypt is mainly desert, away from the fertile Nile River belt.
Egypt still has a relatively low crime rate, even though the Islamic fundamentalists have been trying to stir things up. They've been fighting against Christians, and against their more liberal factions. Whereas Egyptian women used to have a lot of freedom, now they are becoming oppressed again, and the clock is turning back.
This page last updated July 23, 2000.