climate and nature of egypt Summary and Overview

CLIMATE AND NATURE OF EGYPT The climate of Egypt is remarkably equable, the atmosphere dry and clear except on the sea-coast; the summers are hot and sultry, the winters mild; rain, except along the Mediterranean, is very rare, the fertility of the land depending almost entirely upon the annual overflow of the Nile, or upon artificial irrigation by canals, water-wheels, and the shadoof. Winds are strong, those from a northerly source being the most prevalent, while the simoon, a violent whirlwind and hurricane of sand, is not infrequent. The chief fruits are dates, grapes, figs, pomegranates, oranges, apricots, peaches, lemons, bananas, melons of various kinds, mulberries, pears, and olives. Among the vegetables are beans, peas, onions, leeks, lentils, gourds, cucumbers, caraway, coriander, cummin, anise, and pepper; and of grains, wheat, barley, millet, maize, and rice. Among plants are the indigo-plant, cotton, flax, poppy, madder, and a species of saffron. Many kinds of reeds were found in the country, but they have wasted away, as predicted, Isa 19:6-7; even the famous papyrus, or byblus, from which paper was made, has nearly, if not quite, disappeared. Of animals, the camel, horse, mule, ass, sheep, and goat are common, and the wolf, fox, jackal, hyena, weasel, jerboa, hare, gazelle, hippopotamus, and crocodile were all found in considerable numbers; but the last two are now found only in the upper Nile. Of birds, the vulture (Pharaoh's hen), eagle, falcon, hawk, kite, crow, lark, sparrow, hoopoe (a sacred bird), and the ostrich were the most common; and of reptiles, the cobra, cerastes, and other species of venomous snakes abounded, and are yet the dread of native and of traveller. Fish abound in the Nile and in Lake Menzaleh. Insects are well represented, the scorpion being among the most dangerous, while swarms of flies, fleas, beetles (the Scarabaeus being held sacred by the ancient Egyptians), and bugs of various kinds attack man and beast, and occasionally swarms of locusts sweep over the land, reminding one of the plague preceding the Exodus, and of the description of the invading army by the prophet Joel. Ex 10:12-15; Joel 2:1-11. The principal minerals are granite, syenite, basalt, porphyry, limestone, alabaster, sandstone, and emeralds. The first four were formerly prized for the purposes of architecture and sculpture.