º Time zone GMT + 2 ) Emergency Telephone numbers Police: 122, First Aid: 123, Fire Brigade: 125.  Ë      Banking Hours Office hours Sunday-Thursday 8:30 – 14:00 Friday and Saturday banks are closed. All 5 *****    Hotels have banks open 24 hours. �  Currency Egyptian Pound, 1 LE                   = 100 piaster 1 US Dollar                                  = approx. 5.8 LE All major credit cards are accepted. ATM availability   Û    Weather Mediterranean in Lower Egypt, dry in Upper Egypt and Sinai. Average temperature: Winter season – October until April          50-80F/ 10-27C       Summer Season – May until September    80-110 F / 27-43C   ?    Passport information Valid passport required by all and must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay in Egypt.   @          Visa Information All visitors must have valid passports. Visas can also be authorized at airports of entry. N              Restricted Entry Video cameras must be declared to the customs upon arrival. h        Health Matters Avoid drinking water from the tab, only use Mineral Water. (Bottles are available everywhere). Pharmacies are open daily from 09:00 until 21:00. Lots in Cairo are open 24/24. If you are in need of a doctor, contact the hotel reception. ?? Clothing Casual traveling outfit preferably made of cotton. For the sightseeing tours, it is important to take a comfortable pair of shoes. Please note that you cannot visit the Mosques in shorts and mini-skirts.   �        Population Approx. 70 millions.   UZ     Religion Approx. 93% Moslem, 7% Christians and minority of Jewish community.   ü           Surfaces 1.001.450 square kilo Meter.   �      Languages Arabic is the official language. English and French are spoken widely.   ?     Women in Egypt Egypt is among the most liberal countries in the Arab world as regards the status of women. A lack of respect toward a woman in a public place is condemned. Foreign women can visit Egypt safely.   å Culinary specialties The Egyptian eatery is a mixture of a lot of Mediterranean and local cuisine. A typical menu is a combination of different typical starters (mazzah): Tahina, a sesame seed paste mixed with spices and lemon juice; when mixed  with aubergines it became Baba ghanug, and when we replace the aubergines by chick peas we get Hummoss. Stuffed vine leaves. There are number of other specialties such as the Mulukhiya, which is a green herbs soup often, flavored with garlic and served with rice chicken or rabbits. Taamiya or Falafel is little balls made of fried broad beans mixed with herbs and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Kuchari, rice with lentils and macaroni is served with a tomato and onion sauce. Kebab, grilled meat with Egyptian spices. Kofta, different kind of meats mixed with onion and spice. Shawerma, thin slices of meat.   µ            Photography Be careful while taking pictures of women and beggars not to offend them. In some Museums, you need a permission to take pictures. It is forbidden to photograph military areas, airports and harbors. ~ Electricity 220 Volts 50 Hz are most common. 110/380 volts AC may also be used.   *   Post There are Post facilities at all the hotels in Egypt.