Cairo ( KYE-roh; Arabic: القاهرة Al-Qāhirah, pronunciation , Coptic: ⲕⲁϩⲓⲣⲏ Kahire) is the capital and largest city of Egypt. The city's metropolitan area is the largest in the Middle East and the Arab world, and the 15th-largest in the world, and is associated with ancient Egypt, as the famous Giza pyramid complex and the ancient city of Memphis are located in its geographical area. Located near the Nile Delta, modern Cairo was founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty, but the land composing the present-day city was the site of ancient national capitals whose remnants remain visible in parts of Old Cairo. Cairo has long been a center of the region's political and cultural life, and is titled "the city of a thousand minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture. Cairo is considered a World City with a "Beta +" classification according to GaWC.
Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab world, as well as the world's second-oldest institution of higher learning, Al-Azhar University. Many international media, businesses, and organizations have regional headquarters in the city; the Arab League has had its headquarters in Cairo for most of its existence.
With a population of 6.76 million spread over 453 square kilometers (175 sq mi), Cairo is by far the largest city in Egypt. An additional 9.5 million inhabitants live in close proximity to the city. Cairo, like many other mega-cities, suffers from high levels of pollution and traffic. Cairo's metro, one of two in Africa (the other being in Algiers, Algeria), ranks among the fifteen busiest in the world, with over 1 billion annual passenger rides. The economy of Cairo was ranked first in the Middle East in 2005, and 43rd globally on Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index.
Cities, regions and other places nearby:
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Cairo: numbers and facts 2025
Founded: 969 AD
Code: (+20) 2
Population: 9,539,673
Above the sea level: 23.00 m
Governor: Khaled Abdel Aalhttp
Region: Cairo
Timezone:
EST
Cairo: What to do and see
Cairo: Attractions
ممفيس ومقبرتها منطقة الأهرام من الجيزة إلى دهشور
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When is the best time to travel to Cairo in Egypt
Cairo's weather is a major factor in determining when to visit. There is almost no rain to speak of, so precipitation is not an issue. The biggest issue is in fact the heat. Cairo basically has two seasons that can be categorized as winter and summer, with a windy season that occurs in late winter.
Winter
Cairo's winter essentially lasts from November through April. December through February are not surprisingly the most popular tourist months in Cairo, as temperatures are at their coolest. Be prepared for the cold nights however, when temperatures can dip to as low as 8 degrees C. You'll definitely want a jacket for the nights, and probably a wrap or jacket for daytime as well. A wrap is generally necessary anyway, as in Egypt dress is very modest.
Winds
Bear in mind that come March and A…
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Travel costs and trends for Cairo
Our system collects hundreds of travel data about the prices everyday to show trends on travel market. Check when is the best time for a vacation.
Last minute: 747 EUR
Standard: 661 EUR
First minute: 739 EUR
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Weather reports and trends for Cairo
People usually expect nice weather while travelling. Take a look at the forecast, summer and winter temperatures in Cairo
weather
In winter: 22 C
In summer: 35 C
Air quality and pollution
Climate and annual weather in Cairo »
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Metro and rapid trains
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• Is there a subway in Cairo?
Question asked by: Francisco Javier Flores
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There is a subway in Cairo.
Cairo Metro has a length of 77.90 km (125.37 miles).
This metro is used by 1,314.0 million people each year.
Cairo Metro was built in 1987.
The last expansion was in 2014.
Answer given by: Kyle Harrison - trip advisor & blogger at hikersbay.
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• Where can I find and download a plan of Cairo metro (Cairo Metro)?
Question asked by: Wilma Bergstrand
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Here you can find and download a detailed map, perfect for printing or displaying on a mobile phone:
Answer given by: Phoebe Scott - trip advisor & blogger at hikersbay.