Egypt can be divided into four major regions: the Nile Valley and Delta, the Arabian Desert, the Libyan Desert, and the Sinai. The Nile River valley is about 950 mi. long. In the south the valley is rarely more than 2 mi. wide. "North of EDFU (Idfu) the valley averages 5 to 10 mi. in width, with steep cliffs on either side" . From Cairo to the north, the valley merges with the fertile delta. "Southwest of Cairo near the town of Al-Faiyum, a large depression called the Faiyum Depression, covering about 700-sq. mi. in area, was left when Lake Moeris evaporated." Today Lake Birket Qarun, a shallow lake, occupies part of the depression, 150 ft below sea level. The depression is extremely fertile and is noted for its orchards and gardens.

The Arabian Desert, known in Egypt as the Eastern Desert, is an extension of the Sahara. It consists of a plateau that slopes upward from the Nile to heights of about

In its most common form, a pyramid is a massive stone or brick structure with a square base and four sloping triangular sides that meet in a point at the top. Different peoples at various times in history have built pyramids. Probably the best-known pyramids are those of ancient Egypt, which were built to protect the tombs of rulers or other important persons. Pyramids were also built as platforms for temples by pre-Columbian civilizations in Central and South America. Still other pyramids exist in Sudan, Southwest Asia, and Greece.

The members of Egypt's upper classes spent much of their time tending to their appearance. "They bathed with soda instead of soap and then rubbed perfumed oil into the skin." Men shaved with a bronze razor. They cut their hair short and wore wigs. Women also wore wigs or added false braids to their own hair. They had combs and hairpins and mirrors of polished bronze or silver.

Villages and towns were situated near the Nile because it was the chief highway as well as the only source of water. Even the rich lived in houses of mud brick, and the walls were richly colored. "Windows were small, high openings covered with loosely woven matting to keep out the heat and glare of the sun." The most fashionable district was near the king's palace. Even here, houses were crowded close together to leave more space for farmland. Some dwellings were two stories high. Usually houses were built back to back to save space. Some opened onto a narrow street; others faced a small walled garden.

Of all the early peoples, the Egyptians were the least warlike. Their country was protected by the sea on the north and by deserts to the east and west. For many centuries they could develop their own way of life without fear of invasion by foreign armies. Their interests were centered in their homes and families and in their work. "Their stone tombs were a kind of insurance against death. They loved life and wanted it to go on forever."

"The Greek historian Herodotus, writing 2,400 years ago, estimated that 100,000 men labored for 20 years to complete the Great Pyramid." It is also estimated that 2.3 million stone blocks were used to build the pyramid. It was once thought that the blocks weighing an average of 2 1/2 tons each were floated on rafts down the Nile from quarries hundreds of miles away. A more recent theory holds that the blocks were cut from limestone quarries that have been found near the pyramids. Another theory suggests that the blocks were formed in wooden molds at the site. Many authorities believe that the blocks of stone were moved up a circular ramp constructed around the pyramid as it was built up. Other scholars have studied the relationship between the position of the pyramids and the apparent motion of the sun and other stars. They suggest that the pyramids' design may have been influenced by a religion based on sun worship.

One of the most fascinating women of all time was Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt. She had great intelligence and beauty, and she used both to further Egypt's political aims. "Cleopatra was of Greek heritage and culture; one of the Ptolemy line set on the throne of Egypt after the conquest of Alexander the Great." Her father, Ptolemy XII, named her and his elder son, Ptolemy, joint rulers. Cleopatra came to the throne in 51 BC. Three years later young Ptolemy supporters had Cleopatra driven into exile. In 48 BC Caesar appeared in Egypt in pursuit of his rival, Pompey. "When Cleopatra heard that Caesar was in the palace in Alexandria, she had one of her attendants carry her to him, rolled up in a rug offered as a gift." Captivated by her charm, the 52-year-old Roman helped her regain her throne. Ptolemy XIII was drowned, and Caesar made Cleopatra's younger brother, Ptolemy XIV, joint ruler with her.

"In the 26th century BC, as Egyptian civilization was reaching its height, three kings Khufu, his son Khafre, and his gran

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3179
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)