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much change for more than three thousand years. This is only partially true

because, in fact, Egyptian ways of life, philosophy, religion, language, and art

changed considerably over time. However, the ancient Egyptian culture retained

its identity and general character to a remarkable degree over the course of its

historyÑa situation due in part to EgyptÕs favorable and secure location.

Essentially a river oasis, the country was bordered by deserts to the west and

east, by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and by the first cataract of the Nile

at Aswan in the south. Egyptians were not isolated, however. Situated in the

northeastern corner of Africa, Egypt was a center for trade routes to and from

western Asia, the Mediterranean, and central Africa.