Egypt has an estimated population of 70 million people, of which 37 percent are under the age of fifteen, and an annual population growth of two percent.

Who are Egyptians? They are the descendants of peasants and pashas alike, asserting half-jokingly but nonetheless proudly that they are the descendants of the great Pharaohs. To some the boast was never intended literally, yet it signifies that they consider themselves ancient Egyptians rather than Arabs or Africans.

Islam's profound influence is the most evident characteristic of both modern and old Egypt, with five frequent calls for prayers coming from minarets that rise at every turn. Spiraling to the skies, the minarets put modern skyscrapers into shame by their distinct beauty.

Throughout Egypt's history and particularly in the urban centers, Egyptians have influenced, been influenced by and intermixed with people from east, north, as well as south.

Egyptians maybe distinguished through the governorate or place in which they were born; southward toward Sudan, the tall, dark-skinned Nubians are more evident. Upper Egyptians (from up the Nile, which is the only river in the world to flow from South to North) who are not Nubians proudly refer to themselves as Sa'idis Sa'id or Upper Egypt). Fellahin is the general term for agrarian peasants, many of whom have migrated from the countryside to the cities (Cairo mainly) to find work. Bedouins and berbers are found in deserts and oases.

The deep divide in Egyptian society is not racial, religious, or geographical. The only difference is economic, and it is significantly profound.

Egypt has always been hospitable to foreigners, sometimes to its detriment. An estimated 10,000 Americans, 3,500 Britons, 3,000 French, 3,000 Germans and thousands of other Europeans and Africans are living and working in Egypt. There are also many Latin Americans and a larger number of Middle Easterners, who maintain residence and do business in comparatively free-wheeling Cairo, plus Asians from India and Philippines.

Egyptian women maintain a highly respected position in Egyptian society and most of the women who wear a veil do so out of strict religious piety or as a strategy to avoid unwanted attention. Women also are commonly accepted in the professional fields. However, despite the present day relaxation of women's roles, it is best not to engage unknown women in conversation, since some family customs forbid unsolicited relations.

Physical proximity and affection between members of the same sex is closer than that of the Western world and much farther apart between members of the opposite sex. In fact, good friends of the same sex may walk hand in hand, kiss, and hug in public. Yet, except for married or engaged couples that walk arm in arm, a man does not touch a woman in public. It is impolite for the bottom of one's foot to point at another person, and feet should not be propped on a table or chair in the presence of others. Pointing at a person is impolite, as is walking in front of a praying person.