The Mediterranean Cruise Directory Egypt is “Misr” in Arabic. It occupies the northeastern corner of Africa, and is connected to Asia by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is bordered by Libya on the west, Sudan on the south, Israel on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Egypt has a surface area of 386,662 square miles, approximately the same size as Texas. The population of Egypt is about 75 million. Cairo, Egypt's capital city, has a population of more than 17 million. This great metropolis is the meeting place of Africa, the Arab world, Europe and Asia. Cairo is the most important city in the country and is the political, cultural, and economic center. The oldest part of Cairo lies in the vicinity of the Khan El Khalili Bazaar and Al Azhar Mosque. The modern part of Cairo was built by a descendant of Mohamed Ali, in the 19th century.  Today a sprawling city, with its ever expanding suburbs, surrounds this historic core.  The most famous mosque, the Mohamed Ali Mosque, was built in Cairo in his memory. Cairo is known as the city of a thousand minarets due to the profusion of mosques. In approximately 3000 B.C., a civilization emerged on the banks of the River Nile. It reached a stage of development and sophistication that none of its contemporaries surpassed. The ancient Egyptians' ability to organize society, keep careful records, and maintain the continuity and advancement of their civilization almost without interruption for 30 centuries set them apart from all other civilizations. A land of motion within the stillness of centuries, the silent felucca sails in contrast to the chaos and cacophony along the Nile. Among today's monuments are the world's largest textile mill, one of the highest dams, and the largest manmade lake. Yet, all the noises of construction, cries of street vendors, even the braying of donkeys, in ever-expanding Cairo are absorbed by the eternal quiet of the deserts. Egypt is a country with many secrets tied to its past. It is an explorer's land, with places to find treasures such as antiquities, gold or jewels. It is a place to see palaces and bazaars, where the real and the reproduced can be considered. It is a land where flowers bloom in the desert and in the underwater gardens. For those who can “drink the water of the Nile,” the rewards are magnificent.

Turks endangering Cyprus talks - Christofias (The Daily Star Lebannon)
UN-led talks to reunify the Mediterranean island of Cyprus could be derailed by Turkey's obstruction of vessels searching for oil offshore, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said in a letter made public on Wednesday. Cyprus has sent two protest letters to the United Nations complaining of "provocation" by Turkish naval vessels attempting.

Cyprus Says Oil Row With Turkey Could Derail Peace Talks (Nasdaq)
NICOSIA (AFP)--U.N.-led talks to reunify the Mediterranean island of Cyprus could be derailed by Turkey's obstruction of vessels searching for oil offshore, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said in a letter made public on Wednesday.

Cypriot Leaders Hold Further Talks (Scoop.co.nz)
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders held further talks today as part of United Nations-sponsored negotiations aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island, focusing their discussions this time on a federal public service.

Malta attracts French captive owners (Business Insurance)
PARIS—The European domicile of Malta has enjoyed further growth, and has been particularly successful in attracting French companies to the Mediterranean island, according to the country's regulator.

650 migrants in land on Italian island in matter of hours: coastguard (AFP via Yahoo! News)
More than 650 migrants were rescued off the Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa Friday in treacherous conditions at sea, the local coastguard said.

UN Meeting Of Greek And Turkish Cypriot Leaders (Scoop.co.nz)
The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will meet at the official residence of the United Nations Envoy to Cyprus this Friday for the second round of talks aimed at reuniting the two communities on the Mediterranean island, it was announced today.

600 migrants in 24 hours land on Italian island: IOM (AFP via Yahoo! News)
More than 600 migrants have landed on the Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa in the past 24 hours despite treacherous conditions at sea, the International Organization for Migration said Friday.

You are currently viewing this from 69.147.109.97 - (Fijilive.com)
WELCOME GUEST! A Cambodian-registered freighter was sinking off the Mediterranean island of Malta on Monday after its 16-strong crew abandoned ship, an army spokesman told AFP.

650 migrants rescued in Mediterranean (The West Australian)
More than 650 migrants were rescued off the Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on Friday in treacherous conditions at sea, the local coastguard said. One boat with more than 300 migrants, incl

650 migrants land on Italian island (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
More than 650 migrants were rescued off the Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa in treacherous conditions at sea, the local coastguard said.