The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The Arab Republic of Egypt is located in the north-eastern corner of Africa and south-western Asia. It is bounded on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east by Israel and the Red Sea, on the south by Sudan, and on the west by Libya. The country is about 1,085 km from north to south and about 1,255 km from east to west. It has a total area of 1,001,450 km2.

Little rain falls in Egypt, and more than 90 percent of the country is desert. The Western Desert , also called the Libyan Desert, is part of the Sahara desert that stretches across northern Africa. It covers about two-thirds of 's total area. The Eastern Desert, or Arabian Desert, to the east of the Nile is also part of the Sahara. The Sinai Peninsula is a desert area that lies east of the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Suez. Egypt's highest point, Jabal Katrinah (2,637 m) is located in the southern Sinai. In the extreme south, along the border with Sudan, is the Nubian Desert .

The climate of Egypt is characterised by scorching summers from May to October and a cool season from November to April. In the coastal region average annual temperatures range from a maximum of 37°C to a minimum of 14°C. Wide variations of temperature occur in the deserts, ranging from a maximum of 46°C during daylight hours to a minimum of 6°C after sunset. During the winter months desert temperatures often drop to freezing. The most humid area is along the Mediterranean coast, where the average annual rainfall is about 200 mm. Precipitation decreases rapidly to the south. Cairo averages only about 29 mm of rain a year, and in many desert locations it may not rain at all for several years.

Egypt harbours important Desert Locust breeding areas in the south of the country bordering Sudan. In particular in the area of Shalateen, Abu Ramad and Halaib at the Red Sea coast during the winter season and around Lake Nasser and the area of Sharq Al-Oweinat during the summer season. The size of the potential breeding areas during the w inter season is estimated to 49,000 km2 and in the summer season of 5,000 km2.

Locust control in Egypt is managed by the General Department for Locusts and Agro-Aviation Affairs (GDLAAA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in Cairo . The Department is headed by a General Director, who supervises 13 main bases, the attached 52 sub-bases, all of which are fully furnished and equipped with vehicles and control material. In total 32 Senior Officers and around 1,100 technicians and assistant staff are working under the GDLAAA. The Locust Information Office at the HQ of the GDLAAA is equipped with a modern data management system, Reconnaissance and Management System of the Environment of Schistocerca (RAMSES).
 

Main Structure of the General Department for Locusts Control and Agricultural Aviation Affairs in Egypt
 

1) Aswan , Quena, New Valley, Matrouh, Borg El-Arab, Ismaelia, Suez , Safaga, Al-Arish, Al-Tur, Assuit, Mansura, Tanta