About Cairo
Cairo gets its name from the Arabic word "al-Qāhira," which means "victorious." The name "Masr" symbolizes the whole of Egypt and is also commonly used by the inhabitants of the capital. The population of Cairo makes up a third of the country's population, with over 8 million people currently living in the city itself and over 18 million in the suburbs.
Cairo's Location
The Egyptian capital, Cairo, is situated on both banks of the Nile River, near the beginning of its delta. The city's history began on the eastern side of the river, and it later expanded westward. Due to the lengthy period of development, the old and new parts of the city exhibit distinct differences in their layout, architecture, and style.
The History and Layout of Cairo
Legend has it that eastern Cairo was founded as early as 642, originally serving as a military encampment to provide protection from enemy attacks. Today, it stands as Egypt's spiritual and cultural center, adorned with hundreds of ancient mosques, grand palaces, and monuments. In contrast, the western part of the city boasts numerous boulevards, parks, office buildings, and government structures. It was under the leadership of Ismail Pasha that the new districts of Cairo flourished, drawing inspiration from the layout of 19th-century Paris.
