Egypt
The Arab Republic of Egypt is on the
north-east corner of Africa.
The primary religion is Islam, and Egypt observes lots of particular Islamic festivals.
There are also a number of Coptic Christians.
The Egyptians still use the Coptic Calendar for determining festival dates.
 Sham al-Naseem, March 21. First day of spring celebration.
Coptic Easter Monday.
Leylet en-Nuktah, June 17. The Coptic calendar date is Payni 11.
This is the fixed date for the rise of the Nile.
It means "that of the drop" because a huge drop is suppposed to fall,
causing the swelling of the river.
The actual date of the rise usually occurs a few days later near the summer solstice.
In ancient times, if the rise was late by even one day then beautiful young girls
would be drowned in the river in order to appease the gods.
About 99% of Egypt's population lives in the valley and delta of the Nile.
History
Revolution Day, July 23. Commemoration of the anniversary of the end of the Egyptian royal government
and the establishment of the republic in 1952.
Also observed in Libya.
Evacuation Day, June 18. Commemorates the withdrawal of foreign troops in 1956, and the proclamation
of the republic in 1953.
Armed Forces Day, October 6. The Egyptian forces crossed the Suez Canal on this day in 1973 during the war against Israel.
Eight years later, Sadat was assassinated while watching the Armed Forces Day parade.
Suez Day, October 24. The Egyption Israeli cease-fire on Suez Day in 1973 restored control of the Suez Canal to Egypt.
Also called
Popular Resistance Day.
Unity Day, February 22. See Unity Day.
Public holidays
New Year's Day, Leilat al-Meiraj, Sham al-Naseem,
Sinai Liberation Day (Apr 25), Labor Day (May 1), Id al-Fitr, Evacuation Day, Revolution Day, Id al-Adha,
Islamic New Year, Armed Forces Day, Mouled al Nabi, Suez Day, Victory Day (December 23).
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