Alexandria Country Information
Founded by Alexander the
Great in 331 B.C., Alexandria became the capital of
Graeco-Roman Egypt. Its status as a beacon of culture
is symbolized by Pharos, the legendry lighthouse that
was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Alexandria
was also the setting for the relationship between Cleopatra
and Mark Antony, and was the center of learning in the
ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined, and
when Napoleon landed he found a sparsely populated fishing
village.
Since the 19th century Alexandria has played a new
role: the focus of Egypt's commercial and maritime expansion.
This era has been immortalized by writers such as E.M.
Forster and Cavafy. Generations of immigrants from Greece,
Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city
synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian
culture. Lawrence Durrell described it as "the
capital city of Asiatic Europe, if such a thing could
exist."
The currency
In Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). You can easily
change any foreign currency into Egyptian pounds either
at banks or exchange offices. Depending on the current
economic climate in the country, you can usually change
Egyptian pounds into "hard" currency. When
restrictions are in place, you may have to produce a
valid airline ticket to purchase hard currency in amounts
limited to $1,000. If you end up short of hard currency
and are traveling abroad, you may withdraw hard currency
from your pound account using your ATM card.
Language
The official language is Arabic. The Egyptian dialect
is the most widely understood of all Arabic dialects
due to the influence of Egyptian film industry. Many
people also speak English and some French as these languages
are taught in schools starting at the primary level.
People over the age of sixty can sometimes speak three
or four languages.
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| Palaces: Ras el Teen, Montazah |
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| Forts: Qait Bey |
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| Monuments: Pompei's pillar,
catacombs |
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Shopping
There are supermarkets in Alexandria where you can
buy both local and imported goods. Locally produced
items are of course much cheaper than imported ones
and are usually just as good. Variety of brands is limited
because brand loyalty is not of any consequence to shoppers
in Egypt. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant and
inexpensive and safe to eat if washed well.
Clothing is of two extremes; either extremely chintzy,
far-east imitation junk or extremely expensive (although
perhaps locally produced under license, such as Benetton,
Rodier, New Man, Daniel Hechter, etc.) The famed Egyptian
cotton, that is a favorite in towels and linens in the
U.S., is actually difficult to find. Most of the high
quality, tasteful products and designs are exported
and never reach the Egyptian market.
Egypt is not exactly a shopper's heaven except for
those shopping for gold or silver jewelry, and various
souvenir items. Some people have excellent luck in the
antique markets.
Sightseeing
The highlight of living in Egypt is the richness of
ancient culture that surrounds you at every turn. Alexandria
was home to two of the wonders of the ancient world
and is full of Pharonic and Islamic monuments and architecture.
Among a few of the "must see" places in Alexandria:
Museums include: Royal Jewelry Museum, Greco-Roman
Museum.
The city is currently in a state of regaining its past
glory through ambitious beautification projects. The
current governor's goal is to reclaim Alexandria's title
as the pearl of the Mediterranean.
Important links:
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