CENSUS. In the year 1877, when the census was taken, the total population of Lower, Central, and Upper Egypt amounted to 5,515,627 inhabitants, divided as follows: A fresh census is now in course of preparation, and it is believed that the results will show a considerable increase in the figures given above. The approximate population of Egypt proper is now calculated at 6,800,000 inhabitants, whereas that of the Soodanian provinces amounts to 9,200,000, thus giving a total of about 16,000,000. The census for the year 1883, for both Cairo and Alexandria, has already been officially published, and the result figured as follows: Cairo. 367,838; Alexandria, 213,396. FOREIGN COMMERCE. The total of the bulk of trade of Egypt with foreign countries during the year 1881 amounted to £21,870,778 Egyptian. In the year 1882 it fell to £17,863,423 Egyptian. In other words, one of the results of the SamyAraby rebellion was the diminution of the export and import trade of the country by no less a sum than £4,007,355 Egyptian. A loss in trade in one year of over £4,000,000 E., or nearly 20 per cent., is no light matter, and it says much for the honor and probity of the commercial community in Egypt, that notwithstanding such a serious blow to Egyptian commerce, and, also, notwithstanding the difficulties experiened in collecting outstanding debts due by the fellaheen, no failure of importance has taken place since the rebellion followed by the war in 1882. In 1882 British imports into Egypt amounted to 424 per 1,000, or nearly one-half of the total value of the goods imported into the country. Cotton goods, of British manufacture imported alone, exceed in value the total amount of goods of all descriptions imported from France, by 32 per 1,000; and the coal imported from the British Isles closely approaches the total value of French imports, and exceeds the total value of imports from Austria. In fact, from whatever point of view these returns are looked at, one cannot study them without being impressed with the enormous commercial interests England possesses in Egypt, for it is to be remarked that 65 per cent. or considerably more than onehalf of the products of Egypt are purchased by the British consumer. Taking exports and imports together, we find Egypt's trade is divided as follows: The following two tables will give a thorough statistical insight into the various goods and products both imported into and exported out of Egypt during the year 1882: Value in £ Egyptian of goods imported into Egypt during the year 1882. A large quantity of steam coal is imported into this country; this trade is daily growing in importance. Its importation, owing to the daily increasing requirements of the country, and the development of its industry and agriculture, augments every year. Thus, the first six months in the year 1882 show a quantity of 192,083 tons imported, representing a value of $1,037,632, and 200,820 tons of a value of $1,154,643 on transit, paying a duty of 1 per cent., whilst the quantity imported during the corresponding period of the year following has proved by far superior, and on which I shall treat hereafter. During the first nine months of the year 1883 the value of goods imported into Egypt amounted to P. T. 535,530,503, and the value of exported goods to P. T. 653,464,236, on which the collected dues amounted to P. T. 37,186,582 for the imports, and to P. T. 7,501,650 for the exports. The custom-house at Alexandria absorbs to itself alone the 89.53 per cent. on the total movement of the first nine months of the year 1883, which amounts to P. T. 433,068,512 value of the imported goods, P. T. 631,464,024 value of the exported goods, and P. T. 39,155,618 collected dues on the totality. A statistical report not having as yet been drawn up by the customs. for the year 1883, it will be impossible to give as complete an insight into the movements of commerce as has been given for the year 1882, but the following table will be sufficient to demonstrate the movement of imports and exports during the first nine months, as well as the places they are imported from and those of destination: *Not including the goods imported and exported without payment of duty in virtue of "Raftich " (free pass), the value of which amounts to P. T. 92,726,605 for those imported into Egypt, and to P. T. 12,365,013 for those exported out of Egypt. It may also be stated that both in the year 1882 and 1883 the movement of commerce at Port Said was limited to the importation of coals from England and to the exportation of cotton and cotton-seed to Europe. And whilst the imports in 1882 represent 404,554 tons of steam coals imported from Newcastle and Cardiff, valued at £1 5s. per ton, thus giving a total value of £505,692 108. sterling, the exports for the same year show 1,956 tons of Egyptian cotton and 579 tons of Egyptian cottonseed shipped to Europe. In the year 1883 the imported quantities of coals from England were increased by 146,000 tons, comparing them with those of the preceding year; thus, 460,000 tons were imported from Cardiff and 90,000 tons from Newcastle, making a total quantity of 550,000, valued at £607,500 sterling; whereas, the only export produce during the same year was cotton-seed shipped to London by British steamers, the quantity of which, viz, 955 tons, proved to be almost double to the shipments made in the year 1882. The approximate value of cotton-seed is £6 10s. sterling per ton; the 955 tons above mentioned represent, therefore, an amount of £6,207 108. sterling. By the above-given figures it is to be remarked that the immense quantities of steam coals imported into this country are chiefly sent from England, very few shipments of French coals being introduced into the Egyptian ports. The house consumption of fuel is mostly charcoal, and this is principally imported from Turkey and Greece. Wood, both for constructions and for the necessities of houses, comes, according to the tables given, from Austria, Italy, Russia, and Turkey. France, Greece, and other European countries also, furnish but small quantities. |