General Useful Information

Government

Egypt is a Republic. The Head of State since 1981 is President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak. The Head of Government since 2004 is Ahmed Nazif.

Language

Arabic is the official language. English and French are widely spoken.

Religion

According to the 1986 census, over 94 per cent of the population follows Islam; the majority of the rest is Christian. All types of Christianity are represented, especially the Coptic Christian Church. There is also a small Jewish minority.

Time

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from May to September).

Electricity

Most areas 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Certain rural parts still use 110 to 380 volts AC.

Telephone

Full International Direct Dialling is available. The country code is 20, and to dial outgoing international numbers, the code is 00.

Mobile telephone

Mobile telephones operating on GSM 900 will work in Egypt. Coverage is limited to Cairo, Alexandria and along the north coast line of the Red Sea from Suez to Sharm el-Sheikh and the major towns along the Nile. Network operators include ECMS-MobiNil (www.mobinil.com) and Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications (www.vodafone.com.eg).

British Embassy

7 Ahmed Ragheb Street
Garden City
CAIRO

Telephone: 202 794 0852