Egypt
From Mw
The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose 3200 BC (3939 BH) and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 BC (993 BH) who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 CE (647 AH) and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517 CE (922 AH). Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 CE (1285 AH), Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882 CE (1299 AH), but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914 CE (1332 AH). Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 CE (1390 AH) and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure.
