EGYPT Egypt i/idpt/ (Arabic: Mir), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt (Arabic: ) , is a transcontinental country spanning the

ing the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Most of its territory of 1,010,000 square kilometers (390,000 sq mi) lies within North Africa and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west. Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East, and the 15th most populated in the world. The great majority of its over 84 million people[4] live near the banks of the Nile River, an area of about 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 sq mi), where the only arable land is found. The large regions of the Sahara Desert, which constitute most of Egypt's territory, are sparsely inhabited. About half of Egypt's residents live in urban areas, with most spread across the densely populated centres of greater Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities in the Nile Delta. Egypt has one of the longest histories of any modern state, having been continuously inhabited since the 10th millennium BC.[10] Its monuments, such as the Giza pyramid complex and its Great Sphinx, were constructed by its ancient civilization, which was one of the most advanced of its time Cuisine
Egyptian cuisine is notably conducive to vegetarian diets, as it relies heavily on vegetable dishes. Though food in Alexandria and the coast of Egypt tends to use a great deal of fish and other seafood, for the most part Egyptian cuisine is based on foods that grow out of the ground. Meat has been very expensive for most Egyptians throughout history, and a great deal of vegetarian dishes have developed to work around this economic reality. Some consider Koshari (a mixture of rice, lentils, and macaroni) to be the national dish. Fried onions can be also added to Koshari. In addition, Ful Medames(mashed fava beans) is one of the most popular dishes. Fava bean is also used in making falafel (also known as "ta'meyya"), which originated in Egypt and spread to other parts of the Middle East. Garlic fried with coriander is added to Mulukhiyya, a popular green soup made from finely chopped jute leaves, sometimes with chicken or rabbit.

Egyptian cuisine is characterized by dishes such as Ful Medames it means (beans), Koshari, rice-stuffed pigeon, 'Molokheyya it is a green plant Chopped and cooked with garlic and coriander sauce , and Fetir Meshaltet. Egyptian cuisine also shares similarities with food of the Eastern Mediterranean region, such as rice-stuffed vegetables, grape leaves, Shawerma, Kebab, Falafel ( , *tmejj+), Baba Ghannoug ( , *bb nnu+), and baklava (Egyptian Arabic: [blw+). Some consider Koshari - a mixture of rice, lentils, and macaroni - to be the national dish. In addition, Ful Medames (mashed fava beans) is one of the most popular dishes. Fava bean is also used in making falafel (also known as "ta`meyya"), which originated in Egypt and spread to other parts of the Middle East. ncient Egyptians are known to have used a lot of garlic and onion in their everyday dishes. Fresh mashed garlic with other herbs is used in spicy tomato salad and is also stuffed in boiled or baked aubergines (eggplant). Garlic fried with coriander is added to Mulukhiyya (IPA: *moloxejj+), a popular

green soup made from finely chopped jute leaves, sometimes with chicken or rabbit. Fried onions can be also added to Koshari.

Food Source

- Settled river irrigation - In the Early Dynastic Period c.4000 BC, Egyptians first began to settle along the banks of theNile and to evolve from hunters and gatherers to settled Farmers - A revolution occurred in food production. Meat ceased to be the chief article of diet and was replaced by plants such as wheat and barley. - The relatively egalitarian tribal structure of the Nile Valley broke down because of the need to manage and control the Egyptian Agriculture and the surplus it generated. - Egyptians were relatively secure in the fertile Nile valley - storage of crops in communal government granaries As it was difficult to raise livestock on the Egyptian deserts, meat was a luxury, Fish and meat had to be especially prepared for storage. One method was salting. Another was to hang up the fish in the sun, which baked them dry The basic food was bread - wheat was the most important crop used to make bread

Food Security

Meat

Bread

Sugar

Sugar was unknown - honey was used as a sweetener by the rich, and poor people used dates and fruit juices

Vegetabl Important crops included sesame, beans, chickpeas, lettuce, onions, garlic, dill, grapes, es And melons and gourds Fruits Drink
Beer was made from barely, and was the main drink for common people

Alcohol

Wine was produced by the first Dynasty in extensive cellars. Accurate records were kept of the vintages and quality of wines, jars were clearly labeled. Wine was a luxury and the main consumption took place as: I. II. Offerings to the gods and dead Pharaoh, nobles and the priests in temple ceremonies and party banquets In party scenes on the tomb walls, there are a number of images depicting the guests throwing up or being carried home because of their drunken state, drunkenness was seen as an amusement. - Hathor was the goddess of wine and beer, temples associated with the goddess had their own vineyards to make sure that the celebrants had enough wine for the rituals.