egypt

• arab republic of egypt, country in northern africa
the arab republic of egypt is a country in northern africa. it became fully independent from britain in 1936. in 1956 president nasser nationalized the suez canal, resulting in the suez crisis. the october, or yom kippur war, of 1973 was the last in a series of wars involving israel and egypt, which were ended by the camp david agreement of 1978. lieutenant-general muhammad hosni mubarak, of the national democratic party (ndp), became president in 1981, when president anwar sadat was assassinated. the increasing influence of muslim fundamentalism became a source of tension in the early 1990s, particularly in the south, with attacks on givernment officials and foreign tourists. egypt produces oil, and is a major exporter of cotton and textiles. it is a member of the arab league and the organization of african unity.