Egypt is home to one of the richest and most ancient civilizations in the world extending to several millennia BC. It was the Pharaoh Menes who united the two kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt, inaugurating what came to be known as the Ancient Empire.

In the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Egypt was occupied by British troops. In 1922 the British installed King Fuad. He died in 1936 and his son Farouk inherited the throne.

On July 23rd 1952, the Free Officer Movement led by Gamal Abd El-Nasser seized power in a bloodless revolution which allowed King Farouk to leave the country.

On June 18th, 1953 the monarchy ended and Egypt was declared a Republic and Mohamad Naguib was named as the first President. In 1954 Nasser assumed control as the second president.

During Nasser's presidency, extensive agricultural and industrial development projects were carried out. Nasser evolved into a charismatic leader, not only of Egypt, but the Arab world, promoting and implementing "Arab socialism." He nationalized Egypt’s economy.

With the death of President Nasser in September 1970, Anwar El-Sadat assumed office. On October 6th 1973, the Egyptian army crossed the Suez Canal and tried to recapture parts of Sinai occupied by Israel in 1967. To overcome the state of belligerency, President Sadat announced to visit Israel in pursuit of a lasting peace, which he did in November 1977. Finally, the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty was signed in March 1979.

The Sadat period witnessed changes in the political, social and economic domains, and at the same time, the private sector was given a greater share in the country's economy through the implementation of the "Open Door Policy".

On October 6th 1981, Islamic extremists assassinated President Sadat. Hosni Mubarak, Vice President since 1975 and air force commander during the October 1973 war, was elected President later that month. He was subsequently confirmed by popular referendum for four more 6-year terms, most recently in September 2005.

Mubarak has maintained Egypt's commitment to the Camp David peace process, while at the same time re-establishing Egypt's position as an Arab leader. Egypt was readmitted to the Arab League in 1989. Egypt also plays a moderating role in the UN.


Sources: BBC News, The Egyptian Presidency, U.S. Department of State