Egypt
Cairo
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Welcome to Egypt! Cairo is a huge, bustling city that grew up on the banks of the mighty Nile River, mixing ancient mosques and centuries-old markets with modern towers and busy bridges.
Why is it famous?
Cairo is the biggest city in Africa and the gateway to the ancient Pyramids of Giza, which rise from the desert just outside town.
It's sometimes called the 'City of a Thousand Minarets' because so many beautiful old mosques with tall, pointed towers fill its skyline.
A city with a long story
Cairo as we know it was founded in the year 969, when rulers built a brand-new walled city beside older towns that had stood on the Nile for thousands of years before it.
The city grew outward over centuries, layering medieval neighborhoods, grand mosques, and busy marketplaces around its historic core, right up to the modern skyscrapers rising along the riverbank today.
Amazing facts
The Nile River splits into channels as it flows through Cairo, and the whole city depends on its water just as ancient Egyptians did thousands of years ago.
The Khan el-Khalili bazaar has been a busy marketplace full of lanterns, spices, and crafts for more than 600 years.
Quick facts
- The Nile River splits into channels as it flows through Cairo, and the whole city depends on its water just as ancient Egyptians did thousands of years ago.
- The Khan el-Khalili bazaar has been a busy marketplace full of lanterns, spices, and crafts for more than 600 years.
- Cairo Tower stands 187 meters (614 feet) tall on an island in the Nile and looks a bit like a giant woven basket made of concrete.
- Cairo is home to more than 20 million people in its greater metropolitan area, making it one of the largest urban areas on the planet.