POPULATION

Most Egyptians are descended from the indigenous pre-muslim population, and the Arabs; who conquered the area in the 7th Century AD. Elements of other conquering people (Greeks,Romans, Turks)are also present; mainly in lower Egypt. The mixture has given the inhabitants of the Nile valley physical characteristics that distinguish them from other Mediterranean peoples of the region. They are somewhat stockier in build, and have darker skins. About 45% of the population lives in urban areas. Some nomadic and semi-nomadic herders, mostly Bedouins, still live in the desert regions.

The population of Egypt (1993 est.) was 57,109,000. Almost 99% of the population lives within the Nile Valley, which constitutes less than 4% of the country's total area. the overall population density in 1993 was estimated at 57 per sq. km. (148 per sq. mi.). The annual growth rate during the early 1990's was about 23%. As many as 2.5 million Egyptians may be living and working abroad; mostly in Arab countries. Egypt's population of 60.5 million is growing annually at 2.1 percent. The majority, 90% percent, are descendants of both native Egyptians and Arabs. The rest of the population is composed of Nubians (southern Egypt) Bedouin nomads, Greeks, Italians, and Syro-Lebanese.