Cairo & Giza

Cairo:

Cairo (Arabic Al Qahira, meaning "the Victorious"), capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa. Located on both banks of the Nile River near the head of the river's delta in northern Egypt, the site has been settled for more than 6000 years and has served as the capital of numerous Egyptian civilizations. Cairo is known locally as Misr, the Arabic name for Egypt itself, because of its centrality in Egyptian life. Greater Cairo is spread across three of Egypt's administrative governorates: the east bank portion is located in Al Qalyobyah Governorate, while the west bank is part of the governorates of Al Jyzah and Al Qalyobyah. Cairo is marked by the traditions and influences of the East and the West, the ancient and the modern. However, the city also reflects Egypt's growing poverty, and it struggles to cope with problems caused by massive population growth, urban sprawl, and a deteriorating infrastructure.

Cairo and Its Metropolitan Area:

The city of Cairo covers an area of more than 453 sq km (more than 175 sq mi), though it is difficult to separate the city from some of its immediate suburbs. Bracketed by the desert to the east, south, and west and bounded by the fertile Nile delta to the north, Cairo sits astride the river, though it spreads farther on the east bank than the west. Cairo also includes several river islands, which play an important role in the life of the city. As the region's principal commercial, administrative, and tourist center, Cairo contains many cultural institutions, business establishments, governmental offices, universities, and hotels, which together create a dense pattern of constant activity.

The center of downtown Cairo is Tahrir Square, located on the east bank. A hub of tourist activity, the vast, open square contains numerous attractions, including the Egyptian Museum, the Arab League headquarters, and the modern Umar Makram Mosque. Extending from north to south along the east bank is Al Kurnish (the Corniche), Cairo's main thoroughfare. Located nearby is the narrow strip of land known as Garden City, one of the city's newer residential areas.

In the center of the city is the river island of Zamalik (also called Jazirah, meaning "the Island"), which contains the upscale residential and commercial neighborhood also known as Zamalik, the Cairo Opera House (founded in 1869), and the Cairo Tower (1957). Three bridges link the island with both banks of the river. The island of Al Rawdah, located to the south, is linked to the mainland by two additional bridges, while another bridge to the north carries road and rail traffic across the Nile.

Also outside the city's central area on the east bank, spanning from the northeast to the southeast, are the neighborhoods of Islamic Cairo. These neighborhoods are known for their narrow streets, crowded suqs (bazaars), and hundreds of mosques, many dating back to the medieval period. South of the Islamic district is Old Cairo, where some of the city's oldest architectural monuments can be found. Old Cairo is the home of Cairo's Coptic Christian community, and the site of the Coptic Museum and a number of Coptic churches.

The irrigation of Cairo's desert periphery has allowed for the development of suburbs, such as Heliopolis, located to the northeast. Other modern suburbs are interspersed with recently created migrant neighborhoods that accommodate the city's growing population. Industrial areas further crowd the city, restricting its growth. Cairo is served by an international airport, situated approximately 24 km (about 15 mi) northeast of the city; the Ramses train station and a bus terminal are located near Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo.

Points of Interest:

The pyramids of Egypt, which served as tombs for the ancient pharaohs, and the statue of the Sphinx, which dates from 2565 BC and is probably the country's most famous monument, are located just west of Cairo in the suburb of Giza. Depite the desert background usually depicted in photographs, the pyramids are extremely close to Cairo and are likely to be affected by the city's continued expansion.

Cairo contains numerous religious and governmental structures. The ornate architecture of the Citadel, in eastern Cairo, enhances the city's skyline. Begun by Saladin in 1176 and modified and expanded by later sultans, the Citadel is famous for its mosques, museums, and fort; within the complex the Muhammad Ali Mosque (1830) is particularly notable, with its storied domes and twin minarets. The Coptic church known as Al Mu'allaqa, located in Old Cairo, is believed to be the earliest known site of Christian worship in Egypt; the church was built in the 3rd century, though it has been almost entirely replaced through successive restorations. Old Cairo also contains the Ben Ezra synagogue, the central house of worship for Cairo's small Jewish population, and the distinctive and imposing gates of Bab Zuwaylah, Bab al Nasr, and Bab al Futuh. Once part of a wall that encircled the city, these three gates are all that remain of the original eight. Among Cairo's modern buildings are the Cairo Tower, which stands at a height of 187 m (about 614 ft) and commands a view of the pyramids and the Citadel, and the Mugamma building, where many of Egypt's government organizations are housed. Cairo also contains a number of parks, gardens, and recreational facilities, including the Al Urman botanical garden and the Cairo Zoo.

Linking the city's past and present are the twin cemeteries on the eastern periphery known as the City of the Dead. Today, because of housing shortages and poverty, about 500,000 Cairenes live in these tombs and mausoleums of the deceased. Although this situation is not officially sanctioned, it has become somewhat formalized over time, and the city now provides electricity and water service to those living in the cemeteries.

Shopping & Nightlife:

Cairo offers an incredible selection of shopping, leisure, culture and nightlife. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, a bazaar largely unchanged since the 14th century, to modern air-conditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. All the bounty of the East is here: particular good buys are spices, perfumes, gold and silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and mashrabiya. Try some of the famous street markets, like Wekalet al-Balah, for fabrics, including Egyptian cotton, the Tentmakers’ Bazaar for appliqué-work, Mohammed Ali Street for musical instruments. Although you probably won’t want to buy, the Camel Market also makes a fascinating trip.

Giza:

Giza, also Al Jizah, city in northern Egypt, capital of Giza governorate, on the Nile River, a southwestern suburb of Cairo. It is the third largest city in Egypt and a leading administrative, cultural, and commercial center, with diverse manufactures that include motion pictures, chemicals, machinery, and cigarettes. The city has traditional Muslim districts, a sector of luxury apartment buildings along the river, and many foreign embassies and government offices. Educational facilities include the University of Cairo (1908), relocated here in 1924; the Academy of the Arabic Language (1932); an ophthalmic research institute; and a music institute. An important city has been on or near this site since the time of the 4th Dynasty (circa 2680-2544 BC) of the ancient pharaohs. Famous landmarks located nearby include the Great Sphinx (2565 BC or earlier) and three of Egypt's most famous pyramids-the Great Pyramid of Khufu, or Cheops, and the Khafre and Menkaure pyramids.

Playing: Sabri 3alik Tal Midi

Check out our Major Cites