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Egypt was created by the Nile, determined by the desert and shaped by its people. To think of Egypt is to summon up images of pyramids, temples and tombs. The inner eye feasts on images of unparalleled artistry: the timeless diorite statue of Khafre, elegant wall paintings in the tomb of Nefertari, the funerary mask of Tutankhamen.

Perhaps the palm-fringed Nile springs to mind, or the exquisite Islamic monuments of medieval Cairo, or even the overgrown mega city of today's Cairo. Ancient Egyptians referred to Egypt as Kmt, which means the black land or the fertile cultivated land. This name was later modified by the Copts of Egypt to Kymy.

In 1800, Egypt had 2.5 million inhabitants; in 1986, 48.3 million and in 2003 almost 70 million. Ninety-seven percent of Egyptians live on 4 percent of the country's area. The population density in Egypt is 59 citizens per square kilometer. Like the Nile, Egypt is an endless and contrasting stream of life; and Cairo the metropolis at the junction between Upper and Lower Egypt, has become at once the focus, mirror and kaleidoscope of Egyptian life, incomparable in its diversity.

Egyptian hospitality is legendary. First-time visitors to Egypt enjoy the genuine warmth, personal attention and absolute courtesy of the Egyptian people. It is a society strongly rooted in the family and a commitment to openly welcome guests.

The 5 million visitors who come to Egypt every year discover kindness and delight in the Egyptian friendly and warm attitude. They discover smiles, caring, and people who will go out of their way to help. They discover that no one stays a stranger in Egypt for long.

The currency of Egypt is called the Pound (pl. Pounds). Pound banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 0.25, 0.50, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Pounds. Smaller values are issued as coins (piaster) with 1 Pound = 100 Piaster.

Currency exchange facilities are available in most banks, hotels, and airports and operate during normal business hours. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, the most widely used being MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

The average temperature in August is 27-33? C (77-86? F) by daytime and 19-24? C (59-68? F) by night. Lightweight clothing is suitable.

The Egyptian Medical Students' Association (EMSA) is one of IFMSA's active NMOs through its regular participation in activities, official IFMSA projects and events. EMSA was established in 1968, and joined IFMSA in 1972.

In Egypt, EMSA is the official medical student body. It is the forum through which all medical students communicate and have the chance to share common interests. It is comprised of 13 member Local Committees from 17 medical faculties in Egypt. More than 500 medical students are members of EMSA's community and are actively involved in its activities within their universities as well as offering guidance and support to more than 30,000 medical students all over Egypt.

EMSA being centrally located, has also taken a leading role in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean and IFMSA as a whole. This is demonstrated by its mutual exchange of experience with numerous other countries, and the organizing of 5 IFMSA meetings, 3 of which were General Assemblies held between 1992 and 1998. In addition, EMSA members have continued to hold many official positions within IFMSA in activities including professional exchanges, medical education, public health, projects and IFMSA PR.

We are looking forward to meeting you SOON in EGYPT!

Tamer Refaat
IFMSA AM 2005 Organizing Committee President.