Top 25 Facts About Cairo

Top 25 Facts About Cairo

*Originally published by Christine in April 2020 and updated by Vanessa in August 2022

Cairo is the third largest, and second-most populous city in Africa.  It is the capital city of Egypt and the largest at that- however, Memphis was the capital city of Egypt during the Early Dynastic Period which fell between 3,100 and 2,686 BC. The city of Cairo boasts varied cultures and social classes under a robust natural environment.

Islam is the dominant religion in Cairo. It is called “The City of a Thousand Minarets” in reference to Islam that’s widely practiced in the city- a minaret is a tower that is built into or adjacent to a mosque.

The City of Cairo offers a historical laid-back medieval vibe but also has an upbeat persona depending on the particular area of the city and time of day. The top 25 facts about Cairo or Umm al-Dunya as the locals refer to it, reveal the potency of the city.

1. Cairo is the only city that still has a remaining ancient wonder of the world

View from Cairo- by Raduasandei- Wikimedia Commons

The 7 ancient wonders of the world were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia in Greece, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Out of this only the Great Pyramid of Giza in Cairo still exists

The pyramid was constructed as a tomb for king Khufu. Everything about the tomb from its construction, engineering, size and scale is a sight to behold.

2. Cairo boasts one of the tallest structures made by human hands

The Great Pyramid of Giza- by Jerome Bon- Wikimedia Commons

You guessed it right, the Great Pyramid of Giza’s 146.7 meters of height does make it one of the tallest buildings. It was the tallest structure in the world made by human hands, before the Eiffel Tower was complete, a status that remained so for over 3,000 years.

Some historians have however concluded that the Lincoln Cathedral, and not the Eiffel tower dethroned the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Over two million blocks of stone went into the pyramid’s construction, which took around 20 years to construct. The pyramids sit in the Giza Necropolis with two other major pyramids.

                                                                                                                                       3. Cairo’s al- Azhar University is one of the oldest in the world

Al Azhar University- by Buyoof- Wikimedia Commons

To study and earn a degree in Islamic law, logic, grammar, and rhetoric in 975 CE, you would have to enroll at the al-Azhar University, which was the only one offering degrees then.

This University is the only one in Egypt operating like a modern university in the modern world. Today it is still thriving, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and graduate study programs.

Al- Azhar University is the world’s second-largest institution of higher learning.

4. The first Arab writer to win the Nobel prize for Literature was born in  Cairo

Naguib Mahfouz- by alaraby- Wikimedia Commons

The City of Cairo has birthed some wild renowned men and women. Among them is Naguib Mahfouz, one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic literature. A lot of his subject matter was on Egyptian nationalism.

Naguib Mahfouz was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. He was born in Cairo in 1911.

5. Cairo hosts the largest food court in the world

Egyptian food- by Dina Said – Wikimedia Commons

Oasis restaurants and entertainment in Cairo is a foodie’s haven! Imagine 41,000 m² of a sea of different foods you could sample! This square has 25 restaurants and can seat up to 4,223 patrons at a go.

While at Oasis, you can enjoy a meal and relax while the kids play in the beautiful kid’s zone, or go to the movies within the court.

6. Cairo is a city of festivals

Chinese Spring festival in Cairo- by Reem Al-Kashif- Wikimedia Commons

Being in Cairo at different times of the year will expose you to a myriad of festivals. The city holds festivals in music, film, art, culture, fashion, food and sports and others. Besides learning about Cairo, the festivals are an addition to the pomp and exhilaration in the city.

Cairo holds festivals such as the Cairo bites where you can sample national and international cuisine, Cairo jazz festival, Cairo’s fashion festival among others.

7. Cairo has one of the world’s beautiful Islands

Zamalek Island- by Faris knight- Wikmedia Commons

The city of Cairo is endowed with several islands, with some right in the middle of the city.

The Nile River runs through Cairo, hence the islands. It has changed course over time such that some parts of the city are super close to the water! Garden City and Downtown Cairo are some of Cairo’s parts that can taste the water. Literally.

The beautiful Zamalek Island is located between downtown Cairo and Giza, while Roda Island is located in central Cairo. These two are only some of the at least 14 islands you could see while in Egypt and Cairo.

8. Cairo is home to one of the most famous bazaars in the world

Kha el Khalili souq- by Joelsuganth- Wikimedia Commons

Shopping at Khan el-Khalili is an unforgettable experience for tourists and locals alike. This souq’s layout is filled with alleyways that make up a shopping district. Here you will still find people at work making items from metal and silver.

The souq is a tourists’ haven- souvenirs can be bought here while taking in the sights, sounds and color. The available collectibles include papyrus pictures, antiques, metal lampshades and woven textiles.

9. One of the tallest structures there ever was in Africa is found in Cairo

Cairo tower- by Mohamed Raheem- Wikimedia Commons

The Cairo Tower is 614 feet tall, found near downtown Cairo, on Gezira Island in the River Nile.

This free-standing concrete tower was the tallest structure in Africa for ten years until 1971. It also carries the title ‘50 years running tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa’.

This spectacularly done piece of work is hot on the heels of the Pyramid of Giza in popularity.

10. Cairo is said to be the cradle of mankind

Archeological evidence has led historians to believe that Cairo and the larger Egypt is the cradle of civilization. Its ancient civilization- advanced buildings, artefacts and way of life looked at through modern-day lenses present a people way too advanced for their time hence the title.

Locals refer to Cairo as Umm al-Dunya, which translates to ‘mother of the world’.  This is in reference to the country’s ancient achievements and firsts that put it ahead of other cities.

11. Cairo International Stadium is home to one of the most popular football teams in Egypt

Cairo Stadium- by Crosskimo- Wikimedia Commons

A football (or soccer for others) fanatic will tell you that it is kind of a big deal that two arch nemeses or rivals in football share a stadium. Al Ahly SC and Zamalek SC play the Clasico El- Arab derby which is found in Cairo.

With the most popular sport in Egypt being football, it is expected that fans will flock to Cairo during Clasico El- Arab.

12. The Citadel of Cairo was one of the most impressive military fortification projects

Citadel Cairo- by Weloow- Wikimedia Commons

The Citadel of Cairo is a medieval Islamic era fortification in Cairo. It is strategically placed, overlooking the city of Cairo. While it was built by Salah ad-Din, rulers that came after him further developed it. The Citadel of Cairo was the white house of Egypt for nearly 700 years from the 13^th to the 19^th centuries.

With its vantage position on a cliff of the Mokattam hills, the Citadel was such a well-done building, and so impressive, that it is now preserved as a historic site. It was one of the most impressive military fortification projects.

13. Cairo is believed to have hosted the Holy Family

Abu Serga- by Olaf Tausch- Wikimedia Commons

The Virgin Mary, Joseph and their child Jesus are believed to have stayed at the site of Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga), in Coptic Cairo. As such, this area was a stronghold for Christianity before the Islamic era – interesting that most of the churches currently found in Coptic Cairo were built after the Muslim rule of Egypt, as well as the other buildings found there.

Coptic Cairo is rich with numerous historic architecture, some dating as far back as the 6^th century BC such as the Babylon Fortress, the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church and the Greek Church of St. George.

14. The oldest and largest film and music industries in the Middle East are found in Cairo

Cairo is the Hollywood of the Middle East. The government of Egypt has played a role in the growth of the industry in Cairo- it funded the industry in the ’50s and 60’s. Most films in the Middle Eastern and North African films are made in Cairo.

Old Cairo has done a good job of preserving its religious history and way of life, making it a film maker’s haven. The city is dotted with numerous film houses, modern malls, old cinemas, cultural cafés and centers and new theaters that show international films and documentaries.

Aspiring artists and actors/ actresses literally move to Cairo if they want to make it big.

Cairo hosts an annual international film festival that brings together local and international producers, financiers, distributors, and representatives from funding bodies, sales agents and TV channels. This event provides a networking platform for the film industry stakeholders. Here’s where co-production deals are cut and partnership deals are made.

15. The Museum of Cairo is one of the largest in the Middle East

Museum of Cairo- by – קובץ על יד- Wikimedia Commons

The Museum of Cairo also known as the Egyptian Museum is famed as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. It is one of the largest museums in the Middle East.  The museum boasts an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities- the world’s biggest collection.

Cairo had many archeological sites, which were subject to plundering and looting. The opening of the Museum of Cairo consolidated the 120,000 artifacts in a safe place.

16. The oldest structure in Cairo is the Babylon fortress

Babylon fortress- by لا روسا- Wikimedia Commons

The origins of Cairo can be traced back to settlements in the first millennium, such as Babylon.

Babylon is a fortress located at the center of the Coptic Orthodox community. The Babylon Fortress was the boundary between Lower and Middle Egypt.

There have been controversies about who built the fortress. One school of thought has it that it was built by rebelling slaves who ‘boxed themselves’ in their residential area in their defense. Another school has it that it was built by the 6^th century BC ruler of Egypt.

17. Cairo’s metro is amongst the fifteen busiest in the world

Ticket Offic in Cairo Metro- by Stolbovsky- Wikimedia Commons

There are only two metros in Africa- one in Cairo and Algiers. The Cairo metro was launched in 1987 and is one of the most important means of transportation in greater Cairo. It saves Cairo’s residents hours and hours of traffic as they travel through town.

The metro has 65 stations of which 3 are transfer stations. Women in Cairo have the privilege of boarding a women-only exclusive cart.

Like with most metro’s the Cairo metro does get quite crowded. El Sadat, El Shohada and Attaba stations are the most crowded stations.

18. The Magnificent Al- Azhar mosque was the first established in Cairo

Al – Azhar Mosque- by DiegoDelso- Wikimedia Commons

Like the pearl in an oyster, the Al- Azhar mosque is the crux of Fatimid city, the Islamic Cairo. It was constructed in AD 970 and is the first mosque established in the city of Cairo.

Al- Azhar showcases different architectural styles, resulting from years of enlargements to it. The mosque is open to visitors.

19. Cairo was the Britons’ base of operations

When the British colonized Egypt from the late 19th century, they pitched tent in Cairo and successfully ruled Egypt from there. Talk about working remotely.

The British rulers were in Cairo until after World War I from 1914 to 1918.

20. Cairo is the only city in Egypt with a daily newspaper

Al Ahram Newspaper- by Ashashyou- Wikimedia Commons

It might not be commonplace to view a daily newspaper as such a luxury in terms of availability.

Cairo residents are the only Egyptians that receive the newspaper daily!  Al- Ahram newspaper founded in 1876 in Alexandria is the second oldest and best-known newspaper in the Arab world, with Egypt having about 20 newspapers.

21. Cairo offers one of the best shopping experiences

Khan el khalili by Karim Essm from Wikimedia Commons

One of the best places to shop in the world is Khan el-Khalili. The clanging of metalworkers and silversmiths can still be heard in this Middle Eastern souq (bazaar), a maze-like network of narrow lanes that was first used as a retail area in AD 1400.

Divert off the main thoroughfare into the surrounding alleyways, where the small shops and cluttered workshops are some of the best places to buy traditional Egyptian goods. The main streets have long since completely given themselves over to the tourist trade (with plenty of cheap papyrus pictures and plastic pyramids on display). Antiques, exquisite metal lampshades, and locally woven fabrics are all available here.

22. Cairo previously belonged to Napoleon, but not for long

Strangely enough, Cairo was once under the control of Emperor Napoleon. Nevertheless, it was just for three years! Unbelievable as it may seem, the Ottoman Empire actually lost the city to Napoleon before regaining it! Now that’s retaliation!

24. In general, UNESCO protects Cairo

Panorama of Islamic Cairo by Vyacheslav Argenberg from Wikimedia Commons

Numerous areas make up the Egyptian city of Cairo. Cairo’s history, often known as Islamic Cairo, is one of these parts. By designating it as one of Egypt’s World Heritage Sites, UNESCO honoured this area of the city.

Due to its importance to culture, UNESCO listed it in 1979. There are almost 600 listed monuments in this ancient town, which is situated on the eastern bank of the Nile River and dates back to the seventh century!

25. It has a somewhat distinctive shape

Cairo is designed like a fan, with its narrowest portion in the south where the river valley is tucked between escarpments of the desert, and its largest portion in the north when the valley merges into the delta.

As a river channel receded and the area became flood-free throughout the years, the city grew to the west. But in response to increased demand, the city has also expanded to the north and south and on the western bank of the Nile.

These Top 20 facts about Cairo reveal the gems in Cairo- from history, culture, architecture and nature. There wouldn’t be a dull moment in Cairo.