Egypt has over 100 million people, making it the most populous country in the Arab world and in Africa. The vast majority live along the Nile Valley and Delta -- a narrow strip of green in an otherwise desert country. Cairo alone holds over 20 million.
Egyptians are overwhelmingly Arab-speaking Muslims, mostly Sunni. The Coptic Christian minority makes up roughly 10% of the population and is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world -- Coptic churches and monasteries are found throughout the country. In the Sinai, Bedouin communities maintain their own traditions and tribal structures. In the south around Aswan, Nubian culture is distinct and proud, with its own languages, architecture, and music.
What strikes most visitors is how social and hospitable Egyptians are. Strangers will invite you for tea, shopkeepers will chat at length, and taxi drivers will want to know everything about you. This warmth is genuine, though it can be hard to distinguish from commercial friendliness at tourist sites. Family is central to Egyptian life, and you will see families everywhere -- picnicking by the Nile, strolling through markets, crowding into cafes.
Egypt is a conservative society, particularly outside Cairo and Alexandria. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Dress modestly when visiting mosques and in rural areas -- women should cover shoulders and knees, and a headscarf is needed for mosque visits. During Ramadan, the rhythm of daily life shifts dramatically: streets are quiet during the day and come alive after sunset for iftar.
The Egyptian sense of humor is famous across the Arab world. Egyptians joke about everything -- politics, religion, daily frustrations -- and the wit is sharp. Egyptian Arabic, shaped by centuries of Cairo as the cultural capital of the Arab world, is the most widely understood dialect thanks to Egyptian films, TV shows, and music.