Cairo is a fascinating city. Not only the capital city of Egypt has a long history, but the city is home to a lot of historical and cultural sites of the land of the Pharaohs. It comes as no surprise if the city is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. The city is a blend of the old and the new, of East and West. You can find many things in Cairo. From the mighty Nile River and the awe-inspiring pyramids to the lively Khan Al-Khalili bazaar. Want to learn more about the city? Here are 3 facts of Cairo city that you must know.
3 Facts of Cairo City Egypt
1. It Is Among the Largest Cities in Africa
The capital city of Egypt spreads over 453 square kilometers (approx. 175 square miles) with a population of over 10 million, making it the largest city in Egypt and the third largest city in Africa by population.
In addition, the metropolitan area known as the Greater Cairo Area, has a population of almost 22 million, making it the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East. In terms of population, the city is the sixth-largest in the world.
Cairo is also a dense city. Cairo has a population density of 3,249 per square kilometer. The metropolitan area is even denser with a population density of 19,376 per square kilometer, making Cairo the 37th most densely populated city in the world.
2. It Is Home to the Only Remaining Seven Wonders
One of the 3 facts of Cairo city is that it is home to the Pyramids of Giza, the only remaining wonder of the ancient world.
The original Seven Wonders were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, and the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Of the Seven Wonders, only the Great Pyramid of Giza still remains. What’s amazing about the Great Pyramid is that it was built in the 26th century BC, which means it has been standing for over 4,000 years. It was the world’s tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years, too.
Built as the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu, the Great Pyramid is the largest of the three Pyramids at Giza. The three pyramids have been, and still are, inspiring awe for visiting travelers from around the world.
No one knows exactly how structures were built. There are many theories, but the mystery of how the pyramids were built has yet to be solved.
3. The Nile River Flows through Cairo
The Nile River, the longest river in the world, flows through Cairo. The city is located on the east bank of the mighty river. If you visit Cairo, you definitely don’t want to miss out on seeing the Nile. Better yet, go on a Nile cruise so you can see the magnificent views the city has to offer.
Speaking of the Nile, the river has long been the lifeblood of Egypt, dating back to ancient times. The ancient Egyptians called the river Aur, meaning black, alluding to the color of sediments that the river carried when it floods.
The Nile River is formed by three principal streams, namely, the Blue Nile, the White Nile, and the Atbara. The river is approx. 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles) long, flowing northward and emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition to Egypt, the river runs along or through the border of 10 other countries: Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi.
The Nile River has many islands. Two of the Islands of the Nile are located in Cairo. The two islands are Rawdah Island and Gezira Island.
The Best Way to Explore Cairo
Now that you know 3 facts of Cairo city, your trip to Cairo will be even more exciting. Cairo is an enormous city and there are so many interesting places to visit. What is the best way to explore the fascinating city?
The answer is by purchasing a tour package. With a tour package, you have the heavy lifting parts of the trip taken care of by the travel company. This saves time and money, and most importantly, allows you to focus on enjoying the experience the city of Cairo has to offer.
Here at Exodus Travel, we offer various tour packages. Below are some examples of tour packages in Cairo.
· Cairo Getaway
A 5 days and 4 nights tour that gets you to various Cairo highlights, including the Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Saqqara Complex, and the Egyptian Museum, among many others. There is an optional city tour in Alexandria, too.
· Plenary Cairo
Have no more than 4 days to spend on your trip? This lasts 4 days and 3 nights, but you will get to experience Cairo in full and have in-depth adventures. You will visit Cairo and Giza highlights as well as Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt.
· Grand Egyptian Museum and Giza Pyramids Tour
If you have only 7 hours to spend exploring Cairo, this tour package is for you. During the tour, you will have a whole day exploring the impressive Grand Egyptian Museum and the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza.
· Pyramid Tour in Cairo
Want to learn more about the pyramids? You’d love this tour package. During the 8-hour trip, you will visit and explore not just the great Pyramids of Giza but also the Dashur Pyramids, and the Djoser Step Pyramid.
· Archaeological Break
3 days and 2 nights might seem short, but with our Archaeological Break tour, you will get to see the amazing stories of Ancient Egypt. During the tour, you will visit the highlights of Cairo and Luxor, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Old Cairo city, among many others.
These are the 3 facts of Cairo city and the best way to explore it. Speaking of Cairo, do you have a bucket list of things to do and places to visit in Cairo? Contact our representative at +20 120 250 0027 on WhatsApp and we will make it happen. You can also check this information at our website exodustravel.net.