History and Culture: Pyramids, sphinxes, tombs and temples recall Egypt's ancient past. One of the first and most fascinating civilizations of human history was born here on the banks of the mighty Nile thousands of years ago. Later on caliphs and sultans turned Egypt into an oriental fairy-tale land out of the 1001 Nights -- an atmosphere it has kept to this day. Travel Destinations: Nelles Guide Egypt leads you from Cairo, the pulsating metropolis, to the timeless beauty of the Nile oasis. It covers everything: the magnificient monuments from the days of the Pharaohs, splendid mosques and churches as well as the beautiful beaches of Alexandria and the Red Sea, the bizarre mountains of the Sinai and the pristine oases of the Sahara. Features: The phenomenon of re-Islamization is one of the topics that may deepen the reader's interest in Egypt. Other features report on such subjects as the Aswan dam, the Nobel prize winner Nagib Mahfuz, the art and gods of the pharaohs and the science of egyptology. Nelles Guide Egypt does not stop at describing places, it also presents the complexities of Egyptian life. Travel Information: Whether traveling by boat, road or air, the Guidelines at the end of the book will assist you before and during your journey. The Guideposts at the end of each chapter in the travel section are especially designed to suit every des-tination and offer a great deal of important information about accomodation, hotels, restaurants and more. Book jacket.