Egypt

The Egyptian civilization along the Nile River was one of the ancient world's earliest and most imposing empires. From pyramids to mummies to hieroglyphs, the unique and mysterious lore of this region in northeastern Africa still engages the imagination. While much has changed over the centuries, Egypt remains an interesting and influential place. Today, Egypt faces economic difficulties despite its relatively large and diverse economy. As a country largely composed of desert and dependent on the Nile for survival, it is susceptible to natural disaster and drought. In recent years extremists have carried out terrorist attacks hoping to disrupt tourism. Egypt's moderate political stance in the Arab world gives it a strategic place on the world stage and makes it a stabilizing force in the Middle East. Book jacket.