People
Cleopatra VII
Alexandria, Egypt
She ruled from Alexandria, then a centre of learning, and formed alliances with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony.
Lived: 69–30 BCE · Known for: Last active ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt
Egypt: leaders, famous people, culture and history
6 places on the atlas covering people, history, architecture and language. Highlights include Cleopatra VII, Valley of the Kings, Great Pyramid of Giza and Arabic.
See Egypt on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People Cleopatra VII and Omar Sharif
- History Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel
- Architecture Great Pyramid of Giza
- Language Arabic
Who leads Egypt?
| President | Abdel Fattah el-Sisi |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Mostafa Madbouly |
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Egypt’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Egypt
- Ramses II pharaoh
- Cleopatra VII last active ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt
- Hatshepsut female pharaoh
- Naguib Mahfouz Nobel-winning novelist
- Umm Kulthum singer
- Imhotep architect and physician
- Mohamed Salah footballer
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for Egypt
- Greeting Greet with a handshake and 'Salaam alaykum'. Wait for women to offer a hand first.
- Dining Eat with the right hand. Hosts press food on guests; leaving a little shows you have had enough.
- Dress Dress modestly away from beach resorts, and cover up for mosques.
People in Egypt
People
Omar Sharif
Alexandria, Egypt
An Egyptian star who became internationally famous for Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, and was also a champion bridge player.
Lived: 1932–2015 · Known for: Actor
History in Egypt
History
Valley of the Kings
Luxor, Egypt
A hidden valley where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in rock-cut tombs. The tomb of Tutankhamun was found here in 1922.
Period: c. 1539–1075 BCE
History
Abu Simbel
Aswan Governorate, Egypt
Two temples cut into a cliff by Ramesses II. In the 1960s they were cut into blocks and moved to higher ground to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Built: c. 1264 BCE
Architecture in Egypt
Architecture
Great Pyramid of Giza
Giza, Egypt
Built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, it was the tallest human-made structure in the world for thousands of years.
Built: c. 2560 BCE · Style: Ancient Egyptian pyramid
Language in Egypt
Language
Arabic
Cairo, Egypt
Arabic is written from right to left and spoken in many regional varieties across the Middle East and North Africa.
Say hello: مرحبا (Marhaba) · Script: Arabic, right to left
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Egypt today, a short selection of well-known people from Egypt, and the 6 places pinned for Egypt on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Egypt on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, history page, architecture page and language page.
Questions about Egypt
Who is the leader of Egypt?
As of July 2026: President: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi; Prime Minister: Mostafa Madbouly. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Egypt?
Well-known people connected with Egypt include Ramses II (pharaoh), Cleopatra VII (last active ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt), Hatshepsut (female pharaoh), Naguib Mahfouz (Nobel-winning novelist) and Umm Kulthum (singer).
Which famous people from Egypt are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Egypt include Cleopatra VII and Omar Sharif. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What are famous landmarks and buildings in Egypt?
Notable buildings and sites in Egypt on the atlas include Great Pyramid of Giza. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are important historical places in Egypt?
Historical places in Egypt on the atlas include Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is Egypt known for?
Language entries for Egypt on the atlas include Arabic. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Egypt on the map?
Choose See Egypt on the map above, or search for Egypt on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in Egypt?
Greeting: Greet with a handshake and 'Salaam alaykum'. Wait for women to offer a hand first. Dining: Eat with the right hand. Hosts press food on guests; leaving a little shows you have had enough. These are general customs, not legal advice.