The Arab Republic of Egypt spans across both Asia and Africa via the Sinai Peninsula plateau. It edges onto the Mediterranean Sea to the North, as well as the Red Sea to the East. To the Northeast lies Israel (beyond the Gaza strip), to the West lies Libya and to the South lies Sudan. Although it is the largest country in the Arab World, much of its land is the uninhabitable Saharan Dessert and most of the population is densely crowded around the banks of the Nile River. Cairo (capital), Alexandria and Giza are the major metropolises, each home to more than 2 million residents.
In Egypt, Western culture meets Middle Eastern traditions. Religious practices are commonplace and modern influences increasingly seep into ancient soils. Folkdances display authentic customs whilst world famous music, film and TV infuses Arab media. Egyptians are generally very tight-knit with their extended families and place great worth on spending time together over food, festivals or everyday life.