Pyramids, hieroglyphics, and Tutankhamun are just a few elements that make ancient Egypt such an engaging topic. It provides children with plenty of stimulation across all subjects of learning – making ancient Egypt an excellent way to spark their imaginations and can even be used across curriculum subjects!
Once they have watched the video, have students develop questions they would like more information on or aspects of Egyptian culture they are curious to learn more about.
1. It is the oldest country in the world
Egypt is often associated with its iconic pyramids, yet there’s much more to this country than meets the eye. Egypt is amongst one of the oldest in existence!
Egyptians created the 365-day calendar and used it to predict annual flooding of the Nile River. They also developed a form of architecture known as mud-brick houses that was inspired by temples.
Egyptians invented toothpaste, pens, paper and keys; believed in over 2,000 gods; each god represented different tasks including writing. Women enjoyed more rights than most cultures of their time – they owned property, initiated business deals and initiated divorce as well as becoming doctors or priestesses; they enjoyed playing Senet which involved long boards painted with 30 squares for game play.
2. It is the largest country in Africa
Egypt is Africa’s largest country and boasts an expansive history spanning back over 4,000 years. Home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egyptians were pioneers of astronomy – inventing a 365-day calendar and mummification as part of their legacy.
Egypt is now an industrialized and commercial powerhouse, serving as one of the world’s primary trading hubs between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Thanks to its location on the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal, international trade between these regions can take place seamlessly.
Egypt is home to nearly 30 million inhabitants who primarily reside in urban areas. Tourism remains the main foreign income generator while agriculture remains key, but industrial and service sectors have shown growth over the past decade. Furthermore, Egypt leads the world in textile production.
3. It is the third sunniest country in the world
Ancient Egyptians revered animals as gods. Pets such as cats, dogs and jackals were highly valued; those from wealthy families sometimes even mummified them and buried them together with their owners. After they died, wealthy families would sometimes shave off their pets’ eyebrows so as to honor their memory.
Egyptians believed death was only the gateway to another life and so mummification was used as a method for keeping bodies intact so the soul could pass from life into death without disruption. Only wealthy and royal individuals practiced mummification.
Egypt boasts some of the best beaches in the world. Here you will find white desert landscapes characterized by shifting sand dunes that move with the wind as you explore crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Egypt is also renowned for its cuisine such as falafel, hummus and kebabs, while music legends such as Umm Kulthum and Mohammed Abdel Wahab live here and are prolific musicians in their own right.
4. It is the largest country in the Middle East
Egypt boasts incredible ancient monuments, scorching deserts, and bustling cities – it truly offers something for everyone. Egypt is the largest Middle Eastern country and home to over 82 million residents.
Early Egyptians were highly religious people, worshipping many gods and goddesses, believing in an afterlife and building large temples and tombs for their dead ancestors. Additionally, Egyptians loved cats like royalty – they even treated them like royal pets!
Egypt is home to most Muslims today; city horizons are peppered with minarets and every day muezzins call people to prayer from minarets lining city streets. Yet a significant minority are Christians and there are numerous Coptic churches scattered around Egypt which makes for an interesting cultural and natural destination.
5. It is the largest country in the world by area
Egypt boasts many natural water resources, such as the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts, 10 natural lakes, and the Nile River. Furthermore, Egypt possesses extensive wetlands which play a crucial role in wildlife preservation.
The Nile is one of the world’s longest rivers and plays an essential role in agriculture in Egypt, as well as being used for transportation and construction by ancient Egyptians.
Ancient Egyptian women enjoyed equal rights with men, including being allowed to own and manage property independently and even appearing before courts on legal matters to represent themselves.
Egyptians cherished cats as deities! You’ll often see them worshipped at various temples around the country. Additionally, Egyptians were known for enjoying playing board games like Senet and Mehen during leisurely time with friends over an enjoyable game session.
6. It is the third largest country in the world by population
Egypt’s Nile Valley and Delta are its two key regions, providing water and cultivable land to the nation as a whole. Overcrowding occurs here as most Egyptians reside near these areas.
Egyptians invented many everyday items such as toothpaste, pens and paper. Furthermore, they believed in numerous gods for every aspect of life – each deity having its own special place within Egyptian mythology.
Egypt has an overwhelming Muslim majority population with about 10% being Copts – an ancient branch of Christianity. Cities across Egypt are marked with minarets which sound the call to prayer each day. Their official flag features three equally wide horizontal stripes in red, white and black that depict Saladin’s golden eagle symbolizing power and independence – this particular flag was adopted on October 4, 1984 and represents them quite perfectly!
7. It is the largest country in the world by land area
Egypt boasts abundant natural resources and is widely considered one of the world’s most fertile countries. The Nile River has long been considered a source of life and civilization to this region of Africa; one such ancient civilisation being Egypt itself with the Great Pyramid of Giza as one of its seven Wonders of Antiquity as an iconic landmark.
Ancient Egyptians had an intense connection with nature, as evidenced by their paintings and carvings. Additionally, they hunted animals and fished for sustenance before spending free time playing sports or board games for entertainment.
Egypt is now a modern nation under Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s leadership, with an increasingly large population and economy. Additionally, 21 protected regions within Egypt comprised of oases, deserts, mountains, coastal areas and river islands protect it.
8. It is the largest country in the world by water area
Egypt is one of the Middle Eastern region’s most populated and popular tourist destinations, boasting diverse landscapes from desert to lush Nile delta in its south, as well as incredible ancient monuments and mummies that attract countless visitors each year.
Egypt relied on the Nile River’s annual rise for food, trade, and calendaring purposes. Thanks to this resource, they developed accurate calendars as well as planted crops to supply themselves.
Ancient Egyptians were among the world’s most politically and economically empowered people. Women owned property, participated in legal contracts and could initiate divorce. Women also enjoyed more rights than most other women at that time – they could negotiate prenuptial agreements with their husbands that listed all the wealth the wife brought into the marriage.
9. It is the third largest country in the world by population density
Though most people associate Egypt with pyramids, there’s much more to this ancient land. Archaeological investigations have unlocked numerous secrets from this vast structure – from hidden shafts to sapphire-toothed saws!
Egypt relies heavily on its Nile River for agriculture and transport needs, with annual flooding helping to replenish soils and create fertile grounds.
Egyptians have an exceptionally high literacy rate. Yet there remains much work to do when it comes to equalizing between men and women literacies: women’s literacy rates remain considerably lower.
10. It is the largest country in the world by area
The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the seven wonders of the world and stands as its oldest landmark. If unwrapped, its passageways would stretch more than a mile! Ancient Egyptians believed in worshipping Amon as their god of sun worship.
Ancient Egyptian women were treated as equals. They could own, buy and sell property as well as stand in for their husbands in court proceedings.
Most of the country is dry and arid with little rainfall; however, coastal regions such as Alexandria and Red Sea enjoy high levels of humidity due to sea breezes. Sandstorms known by Europeans as sirocco and Egyptians as khamsin can bring massive quantities of dust storms that raise temperatures by 20 degrees within two hours; beards depicted on Pharaohs are often false; Egyptians prefer clean-shaven faces instead.