Cairo, Egypt
Region: Cairo
Geographic Coordinates: 30.044400, 31.235800
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Climate: Hot and dry summers, mild winters with occasional rain.
Population: 20296000
Language: Arabic
Cairo, The capital city of Egypt, Is a bustling metropolis located on the banks of the Nile River. It is one of the oldest cities in the world with a rich history that spans over 5, 000 years. The city is home to numerous iconic landmarks and attractions that draw millions of tourists every year. One of Cairo’s most famous landmarks is undoubtedly the Great Pyramid of Giza, Which stands tall on the outskirts of the city. This ancient wonder was built over 4, 500 years ago and remains one of the most impressive feats of engineering in human history.
Visitors can explore its interior chambers and learn about its fascinating history at nearby museums. Another must-see attraction in Cairo is the Egyptian Museum, Which houses an extensive collection of ancient artifacts and treasures from pharaonic times. Here you can see everything from mummies to golden sarcophagi to intricate jewelry and pottery. Cairo’s Old City (known as Islamic Cairo) offers visitors a glimpse into what life was like during medieval times in Egypt. The area is filled with narrow streets lined with historic buildings adorned with intricate Islamic architecture.
Visitors can wander through bazaars selling spices, Textiles, And other goods while taking in glimpses of ornate mosques such as Al-Azhar Mosque or Ibn Tulun Mosque. The Nile River plays a significant role in Cairo’s culture and economy; it provides irrigation for agriculture while also being used for transportation between cities along its banks. Visitors can take boat tours along this majestic river while enjoying views of some stunning waterfront architecture such as Qasr El Nil Bridge or Gezira Island.
For those who want to experience modern-day Cairo life should head towards Tahrir Square – an iconic public plaza that has become synonymous with political activism since it became ground zero for Egypt’s 2011 revolution against former president Hosni Mubarak regime. no visit to Cairo would be complete without indulging in some of the city’s delicious cuisine. Egyptian food is a mix of different Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, With dishes such as koshari (a hearty vegetarian dish made of rice, Lentils, And pasta) or ful medames (a popular breakfast dish made from fava beans).
Visitors can also enjoy traditional Egyptian tea or coffee at one of Cairo’s many cafes. Cairo is a city that offers visitors an incredible blend of ancient history and modern-day culture. From its iconic pyramids to its bustling bazaars to its delicious cuisine – there is something for everyone in this vibrant metropolis.
Important Landmarks
- Pyramids of Giza
- Egyptian Museum
- Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- Citadel of Salah al-Din
- Al-Azhar Mosque
- Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
- Coptic Cairo (The Hanging Church, St George’s Church)
- Saqqara Necropolis and Pyramid Complex
- Ibn Tulun Mosque
- Al-Muizz Street and Historic Cairo District
Primary Industries
- Tourism: Cairo boasts some of the world’s most renowned historical and cultural sites, such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and Islamic landmarks like Al-Azhar Mosque. The tourism industry is a significant source of revenue for the city.
- Manufacturing: Cairo has a notable manufacturing sector that produces textiles, food products, chemicals, and electronics.
- Construction: With an increasing population and demand for infrastructure development, construction is a thriving industry in Cairo.
- Banking and finance: As Egypt’s capital city, Cairo plays an essential role in banking and finance.
- Retail: There are numerous shopping centers and markets in Cairo that cater to both locals and tourists.
- Education: Several universities located in Cairo attract students from all over Egypt as well as other countries in the region.
- Healthcare: As one of Egypt’s largest cities with a growing population, healthcare services are highly sought after in Cairo.
- Information technology (IT): The IT sector is rapidly expanding throughout Egypt overall with many startups emerging from within the country or being established by foreign investors looking to leverage its skilled workforce at lower costs than elsewhere around Europe or North America.
Noteable History
- The construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza in ancient times.
- The founding of Cairo as a city in 969 AD by the Fatimid caliphs.
- The rule of Saladin, who conquered Jerusalem and became a symbol of Muslim resistance to Crusader aggression.
- The Mamluk era, during which Cairo became one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in the Islamic world.
- Napoleon’s invasion and occupation of Egypt in 1798-1801, which had major cultural and political impacts on both Egypt and Europe.
- Muhammad Ali Pasha’s modernization reforms in the early 19th century, which transformed Egypt into a more centralized state with European-style institutions.
- The Egyptian Revolution of 1919 against British colonialism, led by figures such as Saad Zaghloul and Huda Sha’arawi.
- Gamal Abdel Nasser’s rise to power after the military coup d’état in 1952 that overthrew King Farouk I, leading to major changes in Egyptian society and politics.
- Anwar Sadat’s peace treaty with Israel in 1979, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize but also faced criticism from some Egyptians for betraying Arab solidarity.
- Naguib Mahfouz’s literary works depicting life in Cairo throughout much of its modern history as well as his Nobel Prize win for literature.
Museums and Things To See
- The Egyptian Museum
- The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Islamic Cairo, including mosques like Al-Azhar Mosque, Ibn Tulun Mosque, and the Citadel
- Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- Coptic Cairo, including churches like the Hanging Church and St. George’s Church
- The Museum of Islamic Art
- Al-Muizz Street – a historic street with many landmarks
- The Salah El-Din Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque
- Abdeen Palace Museum
- The Pharaonic Village
- The Royal Carriage Museum
- The Manial Palace Museum
- The Gayer Anderson Museum
- El Sawy Culture Wheel
Cultural Events
- Cairo International Film Festival
- Cairo Jazz Festival
- Cairo Fashion Festival
- Al-Fawanees Ramadan Tent
- El Gouna Film Festival (held in nearby city of El Gouna)
- Luxor African Film Festival (held in nearby city of Luxor)
- Egyptian National Opera House performances
- Moulid al-Hussein festival
- Coptic Christmas celebrations
- Cairo International Book Fair
Cuisine
Traditional Egyptian Dishes
- Koshary is a traditional Egyptian dish made of rice, lentils, chickpeas, macaroni and fried onions.
- Foul is a dish made of fava beans which are boiled and mashed with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil.
- Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern food consisting of meat (usually chicken or beef) cooked on a spit and served in pita bread.
- Falafel are deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas or fava beans.
- Molokhia is a thick green soup made from the leaves of the jute plant with chicken or rabbit meat.
Popular Restaurants in Cairo
- Abou El Sid serves traditional Egyptian cuisine in an upscale setting.
- Zooba offers modern twists on classic Egyptian street food.
- Felfela is known for its falafel sandwiches and mezze platters.
- Naguib Mahfouz Cafe & Restaurant is named after the famous Egyptian writer; this restaurant located in Khan el-Khalili bazaar offers traditional Egyptian dishes with live music performances.
- Kebda w Shawerma El Tahrir is famous for its shawarma sandwiches.
- Khan el Khalili restaurants has many local restaurants serving authentic Egyptian cuisine that can be found here.
Parks and Recreation
- Al-Azhar Park
- Gezira Sporting Club
- Cairo International Stadium
- Giza Zoo
- The Nile Corniche
- Al-Jazira Club
- Family Park
- Dream Park
- Magic Land
- Aqua Park City