History of Egypt in Timeline

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Egypt

Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country located in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Palestine, Israel, the Red Sea, Sudan, and Libya. Cairo is the capital and largest city, serving as the cultural center, while Alexandria is the second-largest city and a hub for industry and tourism. With a population exceeding 107 million, Egypt is the third-most populous country in Africa and fifteenth worldwide.

1902: Opening of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

In 1902, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, one of the world’s largest museums and the first national museum in the Middle East, was opened.

1906: The Denshawai incident

In 1906, the Denshawai incident prompted many neutral Egyptians to join the nationalist movement.

1912: Summer Olympic Games Participation

In 1912, Egypt began participating in the Summer Olympic Games.

1914: Egypt became an autonomous vassal state

In 1914 Egypt was granted the status of an autonomous vassal state or Khedivate (1867–1914).

1914: Egypt's Independence and Protectorate

In 1914, Egypt declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire and became a protectorate of the United Kingdom after the British removed Khedive Abbas II from power.

March 1919: Exile of Saad Zaghlul and revolution

In March 1919, the British exiled Saad Zaghlul and his associates to Malta, leading to the country's first modern revolution.

February 1922: Declaration of Egypt's independence

In February 1922, the UK government issued a unilateral declaration of Egypt's independence following the revolt.

1922: Independence as a monarchy

In 1922, Egypt gained independence as a monarchy after being occupied by the British Empire along with Sudan.

1923: Abrogation of the 1923 constitution

Following a brief experiment with civilian rule, the Free Officers abrogated the monarchy and the 1923 constitution and declared Egypt a republic.

1923: Establishment of Parliamentary Monarchy

In 1923, after Egypt's independence was declared, a new constitution was established, providing for a parliamentary monarchy.

1923: Drafting and implementation of a constitution

In 1923, the new government drafted and implemented a constitution based on a parliamentary system.

1924: Saad Zaghloul appointed as prime minister

In 1924, after a landslide victory by the nationalist Wafd Party in the 1923-1924 election, Saad Zaghloul was appointed as the new prime minister.

1928: Olympics Football Tournament 4th Place

In 1928, Egypt achieved 4th place in the football tournament at the Olympics.

1932: EgyptAir Founded

EgyptAir, the country's flag carrier and largest airline, was founded in 1932 by Talaat Harb.

1936: Studio Misr Emerged in 1936

In 1936, Studio Misr, financed by industrialist Talaat Harb, emerged as the leading Egyptian film studio.

1936: The Anglo-Egyptian Treaty concluded

In 1936, the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty was concluded, leading to the withdrawal of British troops from Egypt, except for the Suez Canal.

September 1939: Declaration of Martial Law and breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany

In September 1939, as World War II began, Egypt declared martial law and broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.

June 1940: Dismissal of Prime Minister Aly Maher

In June 1940, the King dismissed Prime Minister Aly Maher, who got on poorly with the British, and a new coalition Government was formed.

February 1942: British intervention at Abdeen Palace

In February 1942, British troops and tanks surrounded Abdeen Palace, forcing Farouk to appoint a Wafd or Wafd-coalition government.

1947: Withdrawal of British troops to the Suez Canal area

In 1947, most British troops were withdrawn to the Suez Canal area.

1948: Armed conflict with Israel

In 1948, Egypt fought in one of several armed conflicts with Israel.

1948: Occupation of Gaza Strip

Since 1948, after the Arab-Israeli War, the Gaza Strip was occupied by Egypt until the Third Arab Israeli War.

1950: Wafd Party victory in the election

In 1950, the nationalist Wafd Party achieved a landslide victory in the election, leading to the appointment of Mostafa El-Nahas as prime minister.

1951: First Mediterranean Games Host

In 1951, Egypt hosted the first Mediterranean Games.

1951: Egypt's unilateral withdrawal from the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty

In 1951, Egypt unilaterally withdrew from the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936 and ordered all remaining British troops to leave the Suez Canal.

January 1952: Attack on British forces around the Suez Canal

On 24 January 1952, Egyptian guerrillas staged a fierce attack on the British forces around the Suez Canal.

January 1952: "Black Saturday" anti-British riot

On 26 January 1952, known as "Black Saturday", an anti-British riot resulted in the burning down of much of downtown Cairo.

July 1952: The Free Officers Movement coup d'état

In July 1952, the Free Officers Movement, led by Muhammad Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser, launched a coup d'état against the king, leading to Farouk I's abdication.

August 1952: Workers' riots in Kafr Dawar

In August 1952, popular expectations for immediate reforms led to the workers' riots in Kafr Dawar.

1952: Radio Centralized After Egyptian Revolution in 1952

Following the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, radio became a central tool of state communication and regional influence.

1952: 1952 Revolution

Following the 1952 Revolution by the Free Officers Movement, the rule of Egypt passed to military hands and all political parties were banned.

1952: Revolution and declaration as a republic

Following the 1952 revolution, Egypt declared itself a republic.

1952: Presidential election reform

In February 2005, President Mubarak announced a reform of the presidential election law, paving the way for multi-candidate polls for the first time since the 1952 movement.

June 1953: Declaration of Egypt as a republic

On 18 June 1953, Egypt was declared a republic, marking the end of the monarchy.

1953: Pan Arab Games Host

In 1953, Egypt hosted the Pan Arab Games.

1953: Growth in public school enrollments

Starting in academic year 1953-54, overall public school enrollments more than doubled as part of Nasser's policies.

October 1954: Agreement with the United Kingdom on Sudan's independence

In October 1954, Egypt and the United Kingdom agreed to abolish the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium Agreement of 1899 and grant Sudan independence.

1954: Nile River Water Share

Since 1954, Egypt's annual share of water resources from the Nile River has remained at 55 billion cubic meters.

January 1956: Sudan Independence

On 1 January 1956, the agreement between Egypt and the United Kingdom granting Sudan independence came into force.

June 1956: Nasser assumes power as president

In June 1956, Nasser assumed power as president and began dominating the history of modern Egypt. British forces completed their withdrawal from the occupied Suez Canal Zone on 13 June 1956.

July 1956: Nationalisation of the Suez Canal

On 26 July 1956, Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal.

1956: Armed conflict with Israel

In 1956, Egypt fought in one of several armed conflicts with Israel.

1958: Formation of the United Arab Republic

In 1958, Egypt and Syria formed a sovereign union known as the United Arab Republic.

1958: Merger with Syria to form the United Arab Republic

In 1958, Egypt merged with Syria to form the United Arab Republic.

1958: Number of Cinemas Increased

In 1958, the number of cinemas in Egypt increased with the emergence of talking films, reaching 395.

1958: The Republic of Egypt (1953-1958)

The Republic of Egypt (1953–1958) was declared.

1960: Establishment of Television

In 1960, television was established which led to the number of cinemas declining.

1961: Dissolution of the United Arab Republic

In 1961, the union between Egypt and Syria dissolved as Syria seceded from the United Arab Republic.

1962: Establishment of the Public Sector in Cinemas

In 1962, the public sector in cinemas was established, contributing to the decline in the number of cinemas.

1964: Olympics Football Tournament 4th Place

In 1964, Egypt achieved 4th place in the football tournament at the Olympics.

1965: Pan Arab Games Host

In 1965, Egypt hosted the Pan Arab Games.

1965: Decline in Cinema Count

In 1965, the cinema count in Egypt fell to 297.

1965: Growth in public school enrollments

Through 1965-66, overall public school enrollments more than doubled as part of Nasser's policies. Millions of previously poor Egyptians, through education and jobs in the public sector, joined the middle class.

May 1967: Escalation of tensions with Israel

In May 1967, escalating tensions led Nasser to take actions that made war with Israel virtually inevitable, including deploying troops in Sinai, expelling UN peacekeepers, and closing the Straits of Tiran.

1967: Armed conflict with Israel and occupation of Gaza Strip until 1967

In 1967, Egypt fought in one of several armed conflicts with Israel, and occupied the Gaza Strip intermittently until 1967.

1967: Third Arab Israeli War (Six-Day War)

In 1967, the Third Arab Israeli War (Six-Day War) began, with Israel attacking Egypt and occupying the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. During the 1967 war, an Emergency Law was enacted.

1970: Population Growth

From 1970 to 2010, Egypt's population grew rapidly due to medical advances and increases in agricultural productivity.

1970: Death of President Nasser

In 1970, President Nasser died and was succeeded by Anwar Sadat.

1970: Yield Improvements

Since 1970, despite yield improvements, Egypt remains reliant on wheat and maize imports.

1971: Emigration Liberalization

Egyptian emigration was liberalized in 1971 under President Sadat.

1971: Egypt renamed

In 1971, Egypt was renamed as the Arab Republic of Egypt.

1971: Completion of the Aswan High Dam

The Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971, significantly improved irrigation stability in Egypt.

1972: Expulsion of Soviet advisors

In 1972, under President Sadat, Egypt switched its Cold War allegiance from the Soviet Union to the United States and expelled the Soviet advisors.

1973: Emigration Increase

Egyptian emigration reached record numbers after the 1973 oil crisis.

1973: Armed conflict with Israel

In 1973, Egypt fought in one of several armed conflicts with Israel.

1973: Yom Kippur War

In 1973, Egypt, along with Syria, launched the Fourth Arab-Israeli War (Yom Kippur War) to regain part of the Sinai territory Israel had captured six years earlier.

1975: Infitah economic reform policy

In 1975, Sadat shifted Nasser's economic policies and sought to use his popularity to reduce government regulations and encourage foreign investment through his programme of Infitah.

1976: Cairo International Film Festival Established

In 1976, the Cairo International Film Festival was established to showcase a range of films from dramas to experimental works.

1977: Egyptian Bread Riots and Sadat's visit to Jerusalem

In 1977, the Egyptian Bread Riots occurred due to the elimination of subsidies on basic foodstuffs. Also in 1977, Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem.

1978: Signing of the Camp David Accords

In 1978, Egypt signed the Camp David Accords, which recognised Israel in exchange for its withdrawal from the occupied Sinai.

1978: Arab League Headquarters Moved to Tunis

In 1978, the Arab League temporarily moved its headquarters to Tunis in protest of Egypt's peace treaty with Israel.

1978: Creation of the National Democratic Party

In 1978, the National Democratic Party was created by Sadat and dominated the political scene during Mubarak's reign.

1979: Egypt-Israel peace treaty

In 1979, the Egypt-Israel peace treaty was signed, leading to Israeli withdrawal from Sinai. In return, Egypt recognized Israel as a legitimate sovereign state.

1979: United States Foreign Aid

Since 1979, Egypt has received substantial United States foreign aid, averaging $1.5 billion annually.

1980: Break in Emergency Law

In 1980, there was an 18-month break in the Emergency Law that was in effect since 1967.

October 1981: Assassination of Sadat

In October 1981, Sadat was assassinated by an Islamic extremist.

February 1986: Security Police rioting

On February 25, 1986, the Security Police started rioting, protesting against reports that their term of duty was to be extended from three to four years. Hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and casinos were attacked in Cairo and there were riots in other cities. A daytime curfew was imposed.

1989: Egypt Designated as Major Non-NATO Ally

In 1989, Egypt was designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States.

1989: Arab League Returns to Cairo

In 1989, the Arab League headquarters returned to Cairo after being temporarily moved to Tunis in 1978.

1990: Piped Water Coverage

Between 1990 and 2010, piped water coverage rose from 89% to 100% in urban areas and from 39% to 93% in rural areas.

1991: All-Africa Games Host

In 1991, Egypt hosted the All-Africa Games.

June 1992: Signing the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity

On 9 June 1992, Egypt signed the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity.

1993: Peak Oil Output

In 1993, Egypt's crude oil output reached its peak at approximately 941,000 bbl/d (149,600 m³/d).

1993: Syndicates Law

In 1993, the Syndicates Law was passed, hampering freedoms of association and expression.

June 1994: Party to the convention

On 2 June 1994, Egypt became a party to the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity.

1995: Cinema Count in 1995

By 1995, the cinema count in Egypt had fallen to 141, due to the circulation of films through video equipment.

1995: Press Law

In 1995, the Press Law was passed, hampering freedoms of association and expression by imposing new regulations and draconian penalties on violations.

November 1997: Massacre near Luxor

On 17 November 1997, 62 people, mostly tourists, were massacred near Luxor.

July 1998: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

On 31 July 1998, Egypt's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan was received by the convention.

1998: Opening of the Townhouse Gallery

In 1998, the Townhouse Gallery opened, democratizing art access and introducing new media forms like video and installation art, providing a platform for younger artists.

1999: IHF World Men's Handball Championship Host

In 1999, Egypt hosted the IHF World Men's Handball Championship.

1999: Nongovernmental Associations Law

In 1999, the Nongovernmental Associations Law was passed, hampering freedoms of association and expression by imposing new regulations and draconian penalties on violations.

2000: FGM Endorsement in 2000

In 2000, 75% of women endorsed FGM.

2000: Infant Mortality Rate in 2000

In 2000, the infant mortality rate in Egypt was 50–60 deaths per 1,000 live births.

2001: Number of Cinemas Increased Again

In 2001, due to laws and procedures encouraging investment in private cinemas, their number in Egypt increased to 200, especially in commercial centers.

2001: FIFA Youth World Cup Bronze Medal

In 2001, the Egyptian Youth National team, known as the Young Pharaohs, won the Bronze Medal at the FIFA Youth World Cup in Argentina.

2001: National Handball Team Result

In 2001, the national handball team achieved its best result in the tournament by reaching fourth place.

2003: Establishment of the National Council for Human Rights

In 2003, the National Council for Human Rights was established in Egypt, though it has faced criticism.

2004: Beach Handball World Championships

In 2004, Egypt won the Beach Handball World Championships.

February 2005: Mubarak announces reform of presidential election law

In late February 2005, Mubarak announced a reform of the presidential election law, paving the way for multi-candidate polls for the first time since 1952.

2006: Human Rights Watch report on Egypt

In 2006, Human Rights Watch's report on Egypt detailed serious human rights violations under Mubarak's rule, including routine torture, arbitrary detentions and trials before military and state security courts.

2006: African Cup of Nations Win

In 2006, the Egyptian national football team, also known as the Pharaohs, won the African Cup of Nations.

March 2007: Constitutional changes

On 19 March 2007, constitutional changes were voted on which prohibited parties from using religion as a basis for political activity, allowed the drafting of a new anti-terrorism law, authorised broad police powers of arrest and surveillance, and gave the president power to dissolve parliament and end judicial election monitoring.

2007: Health Concerns Report

A 2007 report estimated 17,000 child deaths annually from diarrheal diseases linked to poor sanitation in Egypt.

2007: Pan Arab Games Host

In 2007, Egypt hosted the Pan Arab Games.

2007: Launch of EgyptSat 1

In 2007, Egypt launched EgyptSat 1, one of the few spy satellites possessed by countries in the region.

2008: Court Ruling on Religion Field

A 2008 court ruling allowed members of unrecognised faiths in Egypt to obtain identification and leave the religion field blank.

2008: WHO Report on FGM in Egypt

A 2008 report by the World Health Organisation estimated that 91.1% of Egypt's girls and women aged 15 to 49 had been subjected to genital mutilation.

2008: Dar Merit Published Over 300 Books

By 2008, Dar Merit had published over 300 books, including works by Ahmed Alaidy exploring youth mall culture, vernacular Arabic, and digital communication.

2008: Oil Output Decline

By 2008, Egypt's crude oil output had declined to 630,000 bbl/d (100,000 m³/d), transforming the country into a net oil importer by 2008-2009.

2008: International Prize for Arabic Fiction Awarded to Bahaa Taher

In 2008, Bahaa Taher’s "Sunset Oasis" was awarded the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.

2008: African Cup of Nations Win

In 2008, the Egyptian national football team, also known as the Pharaohs, won the African Cup of Nations.

2009: Pew Forum Ranking of Egypt's Religious Freedom

A 2009 report by Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life ranked Egypt fifth worst globally for religious freedom.

2009: Oil Output Decline

By 2009, Egypt had become a net oil importer.

2009: Number of Cinemas Reached 400

By 2009, the number of cinemas in Egypt had reached 400.

2009: NDP description of Egyptian political system

In 2009, Dr. Ali El Deen Hilal Dessouki, Media Secretary of the National Democratic Party (NDP), described Egypt as a "pharaonic" political system, and democracy as a "long-term goal". Dessouki also stated that "the real centre of power in Egypt is the military".

2009: FIFA U-20 World Cup Host

In 2009, Egypt hosted the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

2009: International Prize for Arabic Fiction Awarded to Youssef Ziedan

In 2009, Youssef Ziedan’s "Azazeel" was awarded the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.

2009: Natural Gas Exports

In 2009, approximately 38% of domestically produced natural gas in Egypt was allocated for export.

2010: Pew Survey on Support for Harsh Penalties

A 2010 Pew survey found that 84% of Egyptians supported the death penalty for apostasy, 77% backed amputations for theft, and 82% endorsed stoning for adultery.

2010: Hectares Cultivated

As of 2010, 3.6 million hectares were cultivated in Egypt.

2010: Suez Canal dimensions

As of 2010, the Suez Canal was 24 metres (79 feet) deep and 205 m (673 ft) wide.

2010: Improved Water Access

By 2010, rural areas in Egypt had achieved near-universal access to an improved water source.

2010: Population Growth

From 1970 to 2010, Egypt's population grew rapidly due to medical advances and increases in agricultural productivity.

2010: Summer Youth Olympics Win

In 2010, Egypt won the Summer Youth Olympics.

2010: African Cup of Nations Win

In 2010, the Egyptian national football team, also known as the Pharaohs, won the African Cup of Nations.

January 2011: Widespread protests begin

On 25 January 2011, widespread protests began against Mubarak's government.

February 2011: Mubarak resigns and military assumes power

On 11 February 2011, Mubarak resigned and fled Cairo. The Egyptian military then assumed the power to govern. On 13 February 2011, the military dissolved the parliament and suspended the constitution.

March 2011: Constitutional referendum

On 19 March 2011, a constitutional referendum was held.

November 2011: Elections for the House of Representatives

Elections were held between November 2011 and January 2012 for the House of Representatives, whose members are elected to serve five-year terms.

November 2011: Parliamentary election

On 28 November 2011, Egypt held its first parliamentary election since the previous regime had been in power.

2011: Mubarak Award Renamed Nile Award

After the 2011 revolution, the state’s former Mubarak Award was renamed the Nile Award.

2011: Egyptian Revolution and overthrow of Hosni Mubarak

Following the Arab Spring, the 2011 Egyptian revolution led to the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, marking a period of political unrest.

2011: Adoption of the Provisional Constitution of Egypt

In 2011, The Provisional Constitution of Egypt was adopted following the revolution.

2011: Globalization and Revolution spurred Diverse Underground Movements

In 2011, globalization and the Egyptian revolution spurred diverse underground movements in music, with artists and bands addressing identity and political themes.

2011: Egyptian Revolution

In 2011, the Egyptian revolution ushered in a new era of politically and socially engaged art, with graffiti emerging as a prominent medium. Social media played a critical role in spreading these works.

2011: Increase in Private Hospitals Since 2011

Since 2011, there was a 23.69% increase of private hospitals in Egypt.

January 2012: Elections for the House of Representatives

Elections were held between November 2011 and January 2012 for the House of Representatives, whose members are elected to serve five-year terms, which were later dissolved.

June 2012: Mohamed Morsi elected president

On 24 June 2012, Mohamed Morsi, who was affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, was elected president. On 30 June 2012, Mohamed Morsi was sworn in as Egypt's president.

August 2012: Announcement of Morsi's cabinet

On 2 August 2012, Egypt's prime minister Hisham Qandil announced his 35-member cabinet comprising 28 newcomers, including four from the Muslim Brotherhood.

November 2012: Morsi issues a temporary declaration

On 22 November 2012, President Morsi issued a temporary declaration immunising his decrees from challenge and seeking to protect the work of the constituent assembly.

December 2012: Clashes between Morsi supporters and opponents

On 5 December 2012, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of President Morsi clashed, in what was described as the largest violent battle between Islamists and their foes since the country's revolution.

2012: First democratic election and government of Mohamed Morsi

In 2012, Egypt's first democratic election resulted in the short-lived government of Mohamed Morsi, aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood.

2012: Sentencing of Americans and Canadians to Death

In 2012, several Americans and Canadians were sentenced to death in Egypt.

2012: Emergency Law remained in effect until 2012

In 2012, the Emergency Law, which was enacted during the 1967 war, was lifted, except for an 18-month break in 1980/81. Under this law, police powers were extended, constitutional rights suspended and censorship legalised.

July 2013: Military removes Morsi from office

On 3 July 2013, after a wave of public discontent with autocratic excesses of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood government, the military removed Morsi from office, dissolved the Shura Council and installed a temporary interim government.

July 2013: Removal of Morsi from office

On 3 July 2013, then-General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced the removal of President Mohamed Morsi from office and the suspension of the constitution.

July 2013: Adly Mansour sworn in as acting president

On 4 July 2013, Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt Adly Mansour was sworn in as acting president over the new government following the removal of Morsi.

August 2013: Sit-in Dispersal

During the August 2013 sit-in dispersal in Egypt, 595 protesters were killed, making 14 August 2013 the deadliest day in Egypt's modern history.

December 2013: Snow fell on Cairo

On 13 December 2013, a very small amount of snow fell on Cairo, the first time in many decades.

2013: Pew Survey on Homosexuality

According to a 2013 Pew survey, 95% of Egyptians opposed the acceptance of homosexuality. Also, in 2013, Cairo was ranked the worst megacity for women by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

2013: US-Egypt Relations Sour After Coup

Following the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état, relations between the United States and Egypt soured, leading to criticism from the Obama administration and the suspension of joint military exercises.

2013: Mediterranean Games Win

In 2013, Egypt won the Mediterranean Games.

2013: Overthrow of Mohamed Morsi by the military

In 2013, the military overthrew the government of Mohamed Morsi after mass protests.

January 2014: Constitution was adopted

A 50-member constitution committee was formed for modifying the constitution, which was later published for public voting and was adopted on 18 January 2014.

January 2014: Institutionalization of Secular Constitution

On 18 January 2014, the interim government in Egypt successfully institutionalized a more secular constitution.

January 2014: Announcement of parliamentary election

The next parliamentary election was announced to be held within 6 months of the constitution's ratification on 18 January 2014.

June 2014: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi wins presidential election

In the elections of June 2014, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi won with a percentage of 96.1%. On 8 June 2014, Abdel Fatah el-Sisi was officially sworn in as Egypt's new president.

August 2014: New Suez Canal Proposal

On August 26, 2014, Egypt proposed the New Suez Canal, a parallel shipping lane aimed at increasing traffic capacity.

2014: Shift to Local Consumption

By 2014, Egypt prioritized local consumption over exports, significantly reducing the amount of natural gas available for international markets.

2014: Decline in FGM Rates in 2014

By 2014, rates of female genital mutilation in Egypt had dropped to 10.4% in urban areas and 15.9% in rural areas among girls aged 1–14.

2014: Election of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

In 2014, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was elected, and is now the leader of the government, a semi-presidential republic.

2014: Mass Death Sentences

In 2014, Egypt faced international condemnation for mass death sentences, including a ruling sentencing 529 people to death in a single hearing.

2014: Launch of EgyptSat 2

In 2014, Egypt launched EgyptSat 2, adding to its inventory of spy satellites.

2014: Establishment of Strategic Partnership with China

In 2014, relations between Egypt and China deepened, culminating in the establishment of a "comprehensive strategic partnership".

2014: National Roads Project

In 2014, the length of main roads in Egypt was 23,500 km.

March 2015: Plans for new capital announced

On 13 March 2015, plans for a proposed new capital of Egypt were announced.

July 2015: New Suez Canal Completion

In July 2015, the New Suez Canal project was completed.

August 2015: New Suez Canal Inauguration

On August 6, 2015, the official inauguration of the New Suez Canal took place, marked by international attendance and military flyovers.

August 2015: Imprisonment of Journalists

As of August 2015, at least 18 journalists were imprisoned in Egypt.

December 2015: Parliamentary elections held

The parliamentary elections announced in January 2014 were held in two phases, from 17 October to 2 December 2015.

2015: US Military Assistance to Egypt

As of 2015, the United States provided Egypt with US$1.3 billion in annual military assistance.

2015: Access to Safe Drinking Water

By 2015, 90% of the population in Egypt had access to safely managed drinking water, and proper sanitation coverage was at 50%.

2015: Suez Canal Expansion

Expansions to the Suez Canal were completed in 2015, increasing its daily capacity from 49 to 97 ships and reducing transit times.

2015: BP Investment in Natural Gas

In 2015, BP committed $12 billion primarily toward the West Nile Delta project to develop Egypt's natural gas.

2015: Road Quality Index Ranking

In 2015, Egypt's Road Quality Index ranked 118th.

2015: Zohr Gas Field Discovery

In 2015, Eni discovered the Zohr gas field, the largest natural gas reserve in the Mediterranean, containing approximately 30 trillion cubic feet of gas.

2016: Increased Penalties for FGM in 2016

In 2016, penalties for performing female genital mutilation in Egypt were increased, with prison sentences of up to 15 years for practitioners and up to 3 years for guardians who facilitate the procedure.

November 2017: Sinai Mosque Attack

In November 2017, at least 305 people were killed during an attack on a Sufi mosque in Sinai.

December 2017: Zohr Gas Field Production Commences

In December 2017, production commenced at the Zohr gas field, significantly improving Egypt's energy prospects.

2017: Population of Egypt

As of 2017, Egypt had about 95 million inhabitants, making it the most populated country in the Arab world and the third most populous on the African continent.

2017: Adult Literacy Rate

In 2017, Egypt's adult literacy rate was 71.1%.

2017: El-Sisi's Visit to the White House

In 2017, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited the White House, marking the first visit by an Egyptian president in eight years, signifying improved relations under President Donald Trump.

2017: World Press Freedom Index Ranking

In 2017, Reporters Without Borders ranked Egypt at No. 160 out of 180 nations in their World Press Freedom Index.

April 2018: El-Sisi re-elected

In April 2018, El-Sisi was re-elected by a landslide in an election with no real opposition.

2018: FIFA World Cup Qualification

In 2018, Egypt qualified for the FIFA World Cup, aided by two goals from Mohamed Salah in their final qualifying game.

2018: Per Capita Water Share

In 2018, Egypt's per capita water share fell to 570 cubic meters, below the international water scarcity threshold.

2018: Cybercrime Law in 2018

In 2018, a cybercrime law enabled authorities in Egypt to block sites deemed threats to national security or the economy.

April 2019: Parliament extends presidential terms

In April 2019, Egypt's parliament extended presidential terms from four to six years. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was also allowed to run for a third term in the next election in 2024.

April 2019: Constitutional changes accepted in referendum

In April 2019, new constitutional reforms have been implemented, strengthening the role of military and limiting the political opposition. The constitutional changes were accepted in a referendum.

2019: Improved Sanitation Coverage

By 2019, 96.9% of the population in Egypt had access to safely managed drinking water, and proper sanitation coverage expanded to 66.2%.

2019: Zohr Gas Field Production

By 2019, production from the Zohr gas field had reached 2.7 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d).

2019: Launch of MisrSat-A and Tiba-1

In 2019, Egypt launched MisrSat-A, an observation satellite, followed by Tiba-1, a civilian and military communications satellite.

2019: Squash World Championships Win

In 2019, Egypt won the Squash World Championships.

December 2020: Parliamentary election results confirmed

In December 2020, final results of the parliamentary election confirmed a clear majority of the seats for Egypt's Mostaqbal Watan (Nation's Future) Party, which strongly supports president El-Sisi.

2020: Qattameya Discovery Production

In 2020, production from the Qattameya discovery began.

2020: Pandemic Impact

In 2020, tourism declined due to the pandemic.

2021: Private Hospitals in Egypt 2021

As of 2021, Egypt had 1,145 private hospitals, a 23.69% increase since 2011. Private healthcare facilities in Egypt are generally of high quality.

2021: Pharaohs' Golden Parade

In 2021, 22 ancient Egyptian kings and queens were relocated to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization during the Pharaohs' Golden Parade.

2021: IHF World Men's Handball Championship Host

In 2021, Egypt hosted the IHF World Men's Handball Championship.

2021: High-Speed Rail Project Launch

In 2021, Egypt launched a $4.5 billion high-speed rail project to connect Ain Sokhna, Mersa Matruh, and Alexandria.

2021: Decrease in FGM Endorsement in 2021

In 2021, public support for FGM in Egypt had fallen, with the proportion of women endorsing the practice decreasing from 75 percent in 2000 to 30 percent.

2021: Bahr El Baqar Wastewater Treatment Plant Completion

In 2021, the Bahr El Baqar Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed, becoming the largest in the world at the time, with a capacity of 5 million cubic meters per day. Treated water irrigates 342,000 acres under the Sinai Peninsula Development Plan.

2022: Steel Production

Egypt produced 9.8 million tons of steel in 2022, ranking as Africa's top steel producer and 20th globally.

2022: Rise in Royalties since 2022

Egypt's music industry has seen rapid international growth through streaming platforms, with Spotify reporting a fivefold rise in royalties since 2022.

2022: Adult Literacy Rate

In 2022, Egypt's adult literacy rate was 74.5%.

2022: Treated Wastewater Percentage

In 2022, the percentage of treated wastewater relative to total wastewater in Egypt reached 74%.

2023: New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant Inauguration

In 2023, Egypt inaugurated the New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant, surpassing Bahr El Baqar as the largest wastewater facility globally, with a capacity of 7.5 million cubic meters per day.

2023: Launch of Horus-1, Horus-2 and MisrSat-2

In 2023, Egypt launched Horus-1 and Horus-2 about a month apart. Later that year, the country also placed MisrSat-2 into orbit.

2023: Tourism Numbers

In 2023, Egypt saw 14.9 million tourists.

2023: Steel Exports

In 2023, Egypt's steel exports tripled to 1.54 million tons.

2023: Suez Canal Revenue

In 2023, the Suez Canal generated a record $9.4 billion in revenue for Egypt.

2023: V-Dem and Economist Democracy Indices Ratings

In 2023, the V-Dem Democracy indices ranked Egypt as the eighth least democratic country in Africa, and The Economist Democracy Index categorized Egypt as an "authoritarian regime" with a score of 2.93.

2023: New Alamein Festival Launched

Launched in 2023, the New Alamein Festival in New Alamein was introduced as the largest entertainment event in the Middle East, featuring concerts and aiming to position the North Coast as a regional cultural hub.

2024: Spotify Wrapped 2024 in Egypt

According to Spotify Wrapped 2024, seven of the ten most-streamed songs in Egypt came from newer performers, and the trend coincided with an 85 percent rise in local music consumption.

2024: Egypt's Average Life Expectancy in 2024

As of 2024, Egypt's average life expectancy is 75 years (73.8 for males, 76.2 for females). Healthcare access has improved, and immunization programs cover 98% of the population.

2024: Road Infrastructure Expansion

By 2024, the total length of main roads in Egypt increased to 30,500 km as part of the National Roads Project. The Road Quality Index rose to 18th place.

2024: Egypt-EU Strategic Partnership

In 2024 Egypt and the European Union elevated their relationship to a "strategic and comprehensive partnership", emphasizing political cooperation, and economic collaboration.

2024: Currency Flotation and Economic Measures

In 2024, Egypt experienced a significant economic shift, including a currency flotation that depreciated the Egyptian pound by 38% after securing over $50 billion in international financing. Strategic agreements with the IMF, World Bank, EU, and Gulf states improved Egypt's credit outlook. Fiscal measures were also implemented to raise the tax-to-revenue ratio and accelerate the privatization of state-owned companies. Private investment exceeded public investment, rising by 35.4% year-on-year, while public investment declined by 25.7%.

2024: Egypt Ranked 86th in the Global Innovation Index

In 2024, Egypt was ranked 86th in the Global Innovation Index. The country is also opening new research institutes like Zewail City of Science and Technology to modernize scientific research and development.

2024: Gold Exports Surge

In 2024, Egypt's gold exports reached $2.17 billion, nearly double the previous year.

2024: Tourism Reaches Record High

In 2024, Egypt's tourism sector reached a record high of 15.7 million tourists, surpassing the 14.9 million recorded in 2023. This growth was supported by government initiatives to enhance security and bolster tourism support. Tourism revenues also increased, reaching $14.1 billion.

2024: Freedom House Report on Political Rights and Civil Liberties

In 2024, Freedom House's Freedom in the World report rated Egypt's political rights at 6 and civil liberties at 12, leading to a "Not Free" rating.

2024: Tourism Markets

In 2024, the top tourism markets for Egypt included Germany, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

2024: Completion of Initial Operational Phase of NEXSAT-1

In 2024, two months after MisrSat-2's launch, Egypt successfully completed the initial operational phase of NEXSAT-1, its first experimental Earth observation satellite.

2024: President can run for a third term

In April 2019, Egypt's parliament allowed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for a third term in the next election in 2024.

2024: Remittances to Egypt

Remittances to Egypt reached $23.7 billion in the first 10 months of 2024, a 45.3% increase from the previous year.

2024: Government's Automotive Industry Strategy

The Egyptian government's 2024-2030 strategy aims to increase automotive production to 500,000 vehicles annually and boost exports.

2024: Projected Chemical Exports

With projected exports of $9 billion in 2024, the Egyptian government supports its chemical industry through infrastructure development, technology investments, and trade agreements.

June 2025: FGM Among Girls Aged 15 to 17

In June 2025, it was announced that the percentage of girls aged 15 to 17 in Egypt who had undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) dropped to 37 percent in 2021, compared to 61 percent in 2014.

November 2025: Grand Egyptian Museum Set to Open

The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open on November 1, 2025. The museum will house the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world.

2025: Economy Ranking

As of 2025, the economy of Egypt is the second-largest in Africa and ranks 42nd worldwide.

2025: Planned Local Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

By 2025, the government aims to establish local electric vehicle manufacturing, integrating EVs into public transportation.

2025: New Baccalaureate Certificate System

In 2025, Egypt will introduce a new Baccalaureate Certificate System.

2025: QS World University Rankings

In 2025, the QS World University Rankings included 15 Egyptian universities, with Cairo University holding the highest rank. The American University in Cairo improved its position to 410th place, and several other Egyptian universities advanced in the rankings.

2026: New Baccalaureate Certificate System

In 2026, the new Baccalaureate Certificate System will replace the Thanaweya Amma.

2027: Target Gold Export Ranking

Egypt aims to rank among the world's top 10 gold exporters by 2027.

2028: Tourism Target

Egypt's tourism strategy aims to attract 30 million tourists by 2028, focusing on infrastructure improvements and high-profile projects like the Grand Egyptian Museum.

2030: Government Target for Cultivated Hectares

By 2030, the Egyptian government is targeting 4.8 million hectares cultivated.

2030: Mining's GDP Share Target

The Egyptian government has introduced structural reforms to increase mining's GDP share to 5–6% by 2030.

2030: Government's Automotive Industry Strategy

The Egyptian government's 2024-2030 strategy aims to increase automotive production to 500,000 vehicles annually and boost exports.

2040: Renewed prosperity in the Middle Kingdom

Around 2040 BCE, stronger Nile floods and stabilisation of government brought back renewed prosperity for Egypt in the Middle Kingdom.