Egypt: Introduction

Egypt is a country in North Africa that borders the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Neighboring countries include Libya, the Gaza Strip, and Sudan. Egypt includes parts of the Sahara Desert, Libyan Desert, and the Nile River, which runs from south to north. The government system is a republic; the chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister. Egypt has a mixed economic system which includes a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Egypt is a member of the League of Arab States (Arab League) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).