Cairo (Egypt)

Cairo is the capital and biggest city of Egypt with population over 9,5 million. Cairo Metro area (population around 20,5 million) is the biggest in the Middle East (and the entire Arab world) and also world's 15th-largest. It is associated with ancient Egypt, as the renowned Giza pyramid complex and ancient Memphis city are situated in its geographical area.

With a population of nearly 7 million spread over 453 km2 (175 ml2), just like plenty of other mega-cities, Cairo suffers from high levels of traffic and pollution. An additional 10M inhabitants live in proximity to the city. The metro of Cairo, one of only 2 in Africa (with the other in Algiers), ranks among the 15 busiest in the world, with more than 1 billion annual rides. In 2005 the economy of Cairo was ranked 1st in the Middle East, and 43rd globally on 2010 Global Cities Index of Foreign Policy.

Located close to Nile Delta, modern Cairo was established in 969 CE by "the Sicilian" Jawhar al-Siqilli of Fatimid dynasty. However, the land composing present-day city was the site of ancient capitals whose remnants are still visible in parts of Old Cairo. The city of Cairo has long been a center of region's cultural life. It is nicknamed "the city of a thousand minarets" due to its preponderance of Islamic architecture.

Cairo has the largest and oldest music and film industries in the Arab world. It is also home to al-Azhar University, world's 2nd-oldest institution of higher learning. Many international businesses, organizations and media have regional headquarters in the city. With a population of 6.8 million spread over 453 sq.kilometers, Cairo is by far the biggest city in Egypt. An additional 10 million live just outside the city. Like many other mega-cities, Cairo suffers from high levels of traffic. Its metro, one of only 2 metros on the African continent (with the other being in Algiers), ranks among the 15 busiest in the world, with more than 1 billion annual passenger rides.

Cairo Tower is free-standing, with revolving restaurant at its top. The tower provides a bird's eye view of the city. It stands in the city centre in Zamalek district, Gezira Island in Nile River. At 187 m (614 ft), it is 43 m (141 ft) higher than Great Pyramid of Giza, standing 15 km (9 ml) to the southwest.

Old Cairo area is so-named as it has the remains of ancient Roman fortress of Babylon. It overlaps the original place of the first Arab settlement in Egypt and predecessor of later Cairo, Fustat. The area is also famous as "Coptic Cairo" as it features a high concentration of Christian churches including Hanging Church, Greek Orthodox Church of St.George, and other Coptic or Christian buildings, most of which are situated over the site of the Roman fortress.

Most cruises start and end with 2- to 3- overnight Cairo hotel stays. These are travel vacation package deals inclusive of the domestic (Egypt) flight to Aswan for ship embarkation - on Nile River or Lake Nasser cruises. The Nile portion is Aswan to Luxor, eventually followed by a domestic flight to Abu Simbel for ship embarkation on the Lake Nasser deployed cruise ship.