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Transport in Egypt is centered in Cairo and largely follow the pattern of settlement along the Nile. The main line of the nation's 4,800 kilometer (2,800 mile) railway network runs from Alexandria to Aswan and is operated by Egyptian National Railways.
The road network has expanded rapidly to over 21,000 miles, covering the Nile Valley and Nile Delta, Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, the Sinai, and the Western oases.
In addition to overseas routes, Egypt Air provides reliable domestic air service to major tourist destinations from its Cairo hub. The Nile River system (about 1,600 km. or 1,000 mi.) and the principal canals (1,600 km.) are important locally for transportation.
The Suez Canal is a major waterway of international commerce and navigation, linking the Mediterranean and Red Sea. The ministry of transportation, along with other governmental bodies are responsible for transportation in Egypt. Major ports are Alexandria, Port Said, and Damietta on the Mediterranean, and Suez and Safaga on the Red Sea.
Egypt has one of the highest incidence of road fatalities per miles driven in the world.[1] There are few, if any road markings.[1] Most traffic lights in Cairo appear not to function, but rather intersections are staffed by policemen who use subtle finger movements to indicate which cars may move.[1] Traffic rules are routinely ignored by impatient drivers: vehicles travel at high rates of speed, or the wrong way on one-way streets.[1] Pedestrians constantly dodge in and out of traffic, and a variety of animals are commonly on the roads.[1] Rare winter rains can cause extremely slippery road surfaces or localized flooding.[1]
Intercity roads are generally in good condition, but unmarked surfaces, stray animals, and disabled vehicles without lights or reflectors are among the many hazards that can be encountered on highways, especially after dark.[1]
Some roads, especially in the Sinai and southeastern part of the country, are off-limits to foreigners. So go to a road you can travel on, if you are a foreigner.[1] A big popular form of transportation is by boat! Even though Egypt has expanded, and developed its road system, it doesn't mean that they don't still travel on the Nile to get from place to place.
Road system
editTwo routes in the Trans-African Highway network originate in Cairo. Egypt also has highway links with a neighbouring continent.
Railways
editThe Egyptian railway system is by far the oldest railway network in Africa and the Middle East. The first line between Alexandria and Kafer Eassa was opened in 1854. Today, the system is about 5,063 km long and is operated by the Egyptian National Railways. ENR carries about 500 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of freight annually. A major investment programme is planned to begin in 2007 with the aim of modernising the rail network and improving safety standards.[2] Trains are usually a safe means of transportation in Egypt.[1]
The city of Cairo is served by the Cairo Metro, which is run by the National Authority for Tunnels.
Railway links to adjacent countries
edit- Libya - railways under construction - Same gauge - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
- Sudan - no - Break-of-gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)/1067
- Israel - defunct
- Palestine - defunct
Maps
editWaterways
edit3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta).
Suez Canal, 193.5 km (including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels, drawing up to about 19 m of water (soon to be increased to 22m).
Pipelines
editCrude oil 666 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km
Ports and harbors
editMediterranean Sea
edit- Alexandria Port - Port Authority
- Port Said Port - Port Authority
- Damietta Port - Port Authority
- Marsa Matruh
Red Sea
edit- Red Sea Ports Authority
- Suez Port
- Petroleum Dock Port
- Adabieh Port
- Sokhna Port
- Hurghada Port - Al Ghardaqah
- Safaga Port - Bur Safajah
- Noueibah Port
- Al-Tour Port
- Sharm El-Sheikh Port
Nile River
editMerchant marine
edittotal: 180 ships (with a volume of 1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,348,148 GRT/2,014,483 t DWT
Ships by type
edit- bulk carrier: 25
- cargo ship: 63
- container ship: 1
- Liquified Gas Carrier: 1
- passenger ship: 57
- petroleum tanker: 14
- roll-on/roll-off ship: 16
- short-sea passenger: 3 (1999 est.)
Airports
editCairo International Airport is used by numerous international airlines, including Egypt’s own Egypt Air. In 2003, about 4.2 million passengers were carried on scheduled domestic and international flights. As of 2004, Egypt had an estimated 87 airports. In 2005 a total of 72 had paved runways, and there were 2 heliports.
Airports with paved runways
edittotal: 71
over 3,047 m: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 36
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 4 (1999 est.)
Airports with unpaved runways
edittotal: 19
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 9
Heliports
edit- 3 (2007 est.)
Information from Cia.gov
See also
editExternal links
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Egypt". Travel.state.gov (March 19, 2008). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Egyptian investment will raise safety standards. Railway Gazette International August 2007.
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
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