Egypt

The Arab Republic of Egypt (Goumhouriyat Misr al-Arabiya, or simply Misr) is the child of the Nile Valley, a freak product of northeastern African geography and climate that created the most fertile strip in the world smack in the middle of a desert. The Pharaoh’s control of the annual floodwaters was the basis of his power and claim to divinity; modern technology claims that role now. The Aswan High Dam, near the southern border, remains the most profound demarcation of ancient and modem Egypt. Completed in 1970. the dam put an end to the annual flooding of the Nile; Egypt now relies upon irrigation pumps and hydroelectric power.

Egypt is a budget traveler’s paradise. The sights are stunning, the people and culture fascinating, and you’ll almost never get caught in the rain. And it’s dirt cheap. On the downside, independent travel in Egypt can be difficult; it requires plenty of time, stamina, and an attitude that mixes a dollop of patience with a dash of humor.