Masr

Masr is the Arabic name for Egypt, a transcontinental country mostly in North Africa with the Sinai Peninsula in Asia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south, with the Gaza Strip and Israel at its northeast corner. The Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas, is a major international waterway.

Geographically, the Nile River and its delta constitute the main agricultural heartland; most people live along the Nile Valley and Delta. The interior is largely desert with a hot, arid climate. The country includes the Nile Valley, Delta, desert oases, and parts of the Sinai.

Egypt's history spans the ancient Pharaonic era, followed by Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine rule. Arab conquest in the 7th century began a long Arab and Islamic era. Modern Egypt gained independence in 1922, became a republic in 1953, signed a 1979 peace treaty with Israel, and has been governed as a republic since 2014.

Arabic is the official language; Egyptian Arabic is widely spoken. The population is predominantly Muslim, with a significant Coptic Christian minority. Egypt's culture is renowned for antiquities, literature, music, and cinema; major sites include the pyramids and temples, many designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The economy is diversified, with services, industry, agriculture, and energy. The Suez Canal is a key revenue source and global trade route. Important sectors include tourism, petroleum, natural gas, textiles, and agriculture. Administratively, Egypt is divided into 27 governorates and is a member of the African Union and the Arab League.