General Information

Egypt is located in northeastern Africa and is now primarily a popular holiday destination. Safaga is located about 60 kilometers from Hurghada.

Political and economic situation

Since June 2014 Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was chosen to be the sixth president of Egypt. He has the Egyptians promised little, only that it will be a difficult time. Sisi wants to create a stable state again from Egypt and the Egyptians called there to work with.

Recently, it has become clear that Sisi want to build 20,000 new schools, 25 cities and 8 new airports. He also wants to make large tracts of desert for agriculture. He wants to pay for it by appeal to Egyptians abroad, foreign investors and other Gulf states.  Sisi also suffers from high subsidies on energy and other basic needs, but has indicated the time being to leave them alone. However, the taxes are increased on fuel and alcohol. Sisi also started the construction of a second Suez Canal.

In addition to the existing channel which was opened in 1869, a second channel with a length of 72 km. The number of ships that can pass will double.

Currency

Egypt is the Egyptian pound as currency. In Arabic is called “Guinay. This coin is divided into 100 piastres (pt) or 1000 millims. Incidentally, you get the last unit hardly anymore. There is paper money in circulation of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, LE 100 and LE 200 and of 25 and 50 pt. There are coins of  1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 piastre. There is often a lack of small change. Especially in smaller towns is to take the recommended change.

The exchange rate against the euro fluctuates quite a lot. Those who want to withdraw money can go to a large number of ATMs, especially in large cities and tourist places.

Overige gegevens

Official languages: Arabisch
Capital: Caïro
Area: 1.001.450 km²
Population: 82.079.636
Currency: Egyptisch pond
Time difference: +1 (zomers +2)