(EGYPTE) Cairo

Cairo is the largest city in Egypt and even Africa. Dive without hesitation in this world of diversity, noisy and dusty. This city will make you turn your head like a whirlwind.

Lying on both banks of the Nile, the city of Cairo shines especially by his sets of Islamic architecture. Past and present meet without shame. Modern Cairo encompasses ancient monuments, mosques, churches, palaces, lush gardens ??. Next to the hectic life of the city, the Nile remains calm and continues on its way to the sea. Not far away, the majestic Pyramids dominate the city and know enchanted their admirers.

Cairenes are known for their sense of humor and hospitality. Wherever you are, you will feel at home.

History of Cairo

At the time of Pharaonic cities, the capital of the Old Kingdom was called Memphis. With the arrival of Christianity, it became Babylon to the seventh century AD. When it became Arab and Muslim, she took the name of Fustat, which now forms the Old Cairo.


In 642, the city was immensely rich and prosperous thanks to the very fertile land. The Fatimid began the foundations of Al-Qahira, "the Victorious" in 969.

In 1173, the Citadel and Al-Fustat meets Qahira in the same enclosure. There remains from this period many monuments such as the sumptuous Al-Azhar Mosque, a witness of the religious influence of the city.


Then, the city fell into the hands of sultans sadists, but she remained equally successful. It was then that some nicknamed the Mother of the World. It overflowed increasing its enclosure.

From 1863 to the arrival of Ismail in power, the city experienced great changes. Khedive Ismail (Viceroy of Egypt) made a clean sweep of the past and turned Cairo into a true European city.

Since 1960, the Cairo population is growing at a breakneck pace. She knows the highest density in the world at present. The city extends in all directions and buildings nibble increasingly the desert. However, this does not prevent the urban social fabric and solidarity to continue to grow.

source : http://www.linternaute.com/