Useful
Information about your visit to Egypt
EGYPT
The Land of Many Delights. Egypt is the most fascinating
destination for an international conference, offering the international
delegates a unique setup where the geographic diversity merges with a rich
historical and cultural heritage within an ideal climate and sunny skies
all year round. There
is so much to see all over Egypt, this lovely warm land with its charming
and hospitable people offers something for everyone. Your visit to Egypt
will be an experience that you will cherish for years to come.
CAIRO The capital city of
Egypt, where the VLDB 2000 will take place, carries a flavor unmatched by
any other capital in the world. An exotic and exiting city, brimming with
cultures a modern metropolis of high rises, and the home of the great
pyramids and the Sphinx. It is a city that never sleeps, being the
cultural and commercial center of the Arab world and the largest in Africa
and the Middle East. Cairo is unique
capital, waiting to be explored with a wide selection of cultural tours,
leisure activities, shopping, and nightlife.
CLIMATE
The climate of Egypt is mild
with temperatures increasing as you travel from North to South. Mornings
in Cairo in September are hot, and evenings are breezy. During September,
the average temperature in Cairo is around 37C/25C (max/min.,
Celsius),
ELECTRICITY
Power supply in Egypt is 220 volt and 50 Hz. Sockets take the standard
continental European round-pronged plug. Bring along own plug adaptors and
current converters as well as dual voltage appliances.
BUSINESS HOURS
Embassies &
Banks :
8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily, closed Friday, Saturday
Business
:
8 a.m. to 4-5 p.m., closed Friday, some on Saturday
Government offices
:
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, closed Thursday & Friday
Shops
:
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Many shops are closed on Sunday.
Khan al-Khalili bazaar:
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and closed Sunday.
There are no Official Holidays
during September
CURRENCY
The Egyptian pound is divided
into 100 piastres. For your guidance on rate of exchange please refer to
any official stated rates of exchange at any banks. To perform a currency
conversion please check http://touregypt.net/money
TIME ZONES
Egypt lies entirely in one time
zone that is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean time and three hours
for summer time which starts from the last Friday in April to the last
Friday in September.
MEDICAL CARE
Cairo has a large number of
modern specialized hospitals equipped with all the medical appliances and
staffed with highly trained Medical specialists. The conference is 10
minutes away from two of the largest and most sophisticated Medical
centers and the conference organizers
have arranged access to medical care in these hospitals. VLDB endowment
and the local organizers will not take any responsibility for any injury
or medical illness to any participant during the conference. It will be
the responsibility of every participants to have his/her appropriate
medical and personal injury insurance.
WHAT TO WEAR
Egypt is a conservative
country. Avoid brief clothing as the norm is semi conservative attire. On
the practical side, leave your synthetics at home as they will prove to be
too hot in September. It is advisable to wear cotton garments in the
morning and maybe a sweater or overcoat in the evenings. If you plan some
sightseeing trips bring comfortable shoes
it is also advisable to wear a hat to protect yourself from the
heat of the Egyptian sun. Sunglasses are also a must. If you don’t
bring a camera you will be sorry.
