Egypt Today

Egypt's Economy:
-Tourism (Pyramids)
-Oil, natural gas, manufacturing
-Agriculture (Making the most of their 3% arable land: Cotton, corn, rice, wheat, fava beans)
- Aswan High Dam controls the flooding of the Nile

Egypt's Demographics:
-79 million people (Biggest population of middle eastern nations)
-Official language is Arabic
-Religions: Around 90% Muslim, and the rest are Christian (Coptic)

Government: 
1954-1970-Ruled by Gamal Nasser

• Nationalized the Suez Canal (Transportation of oil)
• Forms Allegiance with Soviet Union

1970-1981-Ruled by Anwar Sadat

• Switched allegiance to the U.S
• Attacked Israel over Sinai Peninsula, but later made peace
• Sadat was assassinated in 1981 because he made peace with Israel

1981-2011- was ruled by Hosni Mubarak

• Kept alliance with U.S (helped in Iraq war)
• accused of corruption, political persecution, human rights violations
• driven from office following mass demonstrations last month.

What's next for Egypt?
-No one knows.
-Military will take over until the elections (which will be in September, 2011)