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Egypt
While best known for its pyramids and ancient civilisations, Egypt has played a central role in Middle East politics in modern times
Its wars with Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967 and 1973, then its eventual peace with its adversary in 1979, have seen Egypt move from being a warring nation to become a key representative in the peace process.
Overview
In the 1950s President Gamal Abdul Nasser pioneered Arab nationalism and the non-aligned movement, while his successor Anwar Sadat made peace with Israel and turned back to the West. The protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 put Egypt at the crossroads once again.
Egypt's ancient past and the fact that it was one of the first Middle Eastern countries to open up to the West following Napoleon's invasion have given it a claim to be the intellectual and cultural leader in the region. The head of Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the highest authorities in Sunni Islam.
Anti-government protesters celebrate in Tahri Square, Cairo; after President Mubarak announces his resignation a popular uprising in January-February 2011 forced President Mubarak from power
But the historic step by President Anwar Sadat to make peace with Israel in the 1979 Camp David agreement led to Egypt being expelled from the Arab League until 1989, and in 1981 Mr Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extremists angry at his moves to clamp down on their activities.
President Hosni Mubarak then took a more moderate line, but Islamic groups have continued their campaigns sporadically. They have been responsible for deadly attacks that have often targeted tourists and resort areas, and more recently have begun to target Egypt's Coptic Christian community.
Campaigners for political reform have become more vocal in recent times and have taken to the streets in defiance of an emergency law, in force since 1967, apart from an 18-month interruption in 1981.
Widespread anti-government demonstrations in January 2011 - encouraged by the flight of the long-term leader of Tunisia - eventually led President Mubarak to step aside. He was arrested and put on trial in August 2011 over deaths during the demonstrations.
The military is now in charge but have promised to effect a quick transition to democracy. Under continuing pressure from pro-democracy protesters, a new interim government was formed. In March 2011, a series of constitutional changes paving the way for early elections were approved.
But a key demand of the revolutionaries - the lifting of Egypt's emergency law - has not been fulfilled. The military has promised to do so before the elections.
Egypt's teeming cities - and almost all agricultural activity - are concentrated along the banks of the Nile, and on the river's delta. Deserts occupy most of the country.
The economy depends heavily on agriculture, tourism and cash remittances from Egyptians working abroad, mainly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries.
However, rapid population growth and the limited amount of arable land are straining the country's resources and economy.
Facts
· Full name: Arab Republic of Egypt
· Population: 84.5 million (UN, 2010)
· Capital: Cairo
· Area: 1 million sq km (386,874 sq miles)
· Major language: Arabic
· Major religions: Islam, Christianity
· Life expectancy: 69 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN)
· Monetary unit: 1 Egyptian Pound = 100 piastres
· Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products and cotton
· GNI per capita: US $2,070 (World Bank, 2009)
· Internet domain: .eg
· International dialling code: +20
Leaders
Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces: Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi
Mohammed Hussein Tantawi heads the military council which has been exercising power on an interim basis since President Hosni Mubarak stepped down in response to a popular uprising in February 2011.The council has set a tight timetable for a return to civilian rule. In March, Egyptians approved a set of constitutional changes aimed at allowing the country to move quickly to new elections.Parliamentary elections have been set for 28 November. The rapid agenda has been criticised by some in the opposition for allowing too little time for new democratic parties to organise. But there have also been protests pressing for speedier reform.
Born in 1935, Mr Tantawi has been a career army officer since 1956, experiencing active service in the Suez crisis of 1956, the 1967 Six-Day War with Israel and the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Mr Tantawi has held the post of commander-in-chief of the armed forces since 1991. Before the 2011 revolution he was also defence minister. He is closely identified with the Mubarak era, but gained some credit with the pro-democracy campaign for refusing to fire on protestors.
President: Muhammad Hosni Mubarak (resigned)
Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's longest-serving ruler since Muhammad Ali in the early 19th century and one of the longest-serving leaders in the Arab world, stepped down in February 2011 after 30 years in power and handed control to the army. He was responding to weeks of street protests, which began in January 2011, only days after the president of Tunisia fled a popular uprising. In April 2011, he was arrested along with his two sons, Ala and Gamal, on suspicion of corruption during his rule as president. He reportedly suffered a heart attack during interrogation. Mr Mubarak was charged with ordering violence against protestors during the uprising and went on trial in August. Mr Mubarak won a fifth consecutive term in presidential elections in September 2005. The poll was the first under a new system that allows multiple candidates to stand, but the main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, was banned from open political activity and could not field a candidate. Mr Mubarak succeeded Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated in 1981. He pursued friendly relations with the West, breaking the isolation imposed on Egypt by Arab countries opposed to peace with Israel.
Since 1952, when army officers led by Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew the monarchy, Egyptian leaders have been drawn from the military.
Economy:
The Egyptian economy is the second largest in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia
International:
Egypt has been a key ally of the West; it has played a key role in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.