Nearly 5,000 years ago, on the eastern edge of the Sahara Desert, one of the world's earliest and greatest civilizations began to flourish. That civilization, Egypt, has held a firm grip on the human imagination ever since, with its powerful pharaohs, its awe-inspiring pyramids, and its mysterious religious beliefs. Today, it is the most populous Arab country, as well as a vital member of the global community. In January 2011, Egyptians began to hold mass demonstrations aimed at removing longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak from power. Within a few weeks, Mubarak's government had lost control and he resigned as president. However, Egypt remains a nation in transition, with a military intervention into government affairs in 2013 and the implementation of a new constitution. The election of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as president in 2014 has resulted in a stabilizing of the political situation.