Cairo

Cairo, the capital of Egypt and its largest city, exemplifies the lasting legacy of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Cairo, with a population over 10 million within its city borders, constitutes the core of the greatest metropolitan agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East. The Greater Cairo metropolitan region, with a population over 22.1 million, is the 12th biggest globally, underscoring its international importance.

The city’s extensive history is intrinsically connected to ancient Egypt, with the renowned Giza pyramid complex and the ancient towns of Memphis and Heliopolis within its geographical confines. This link to history endows Cairo with a distinctive fusion of ancient marvel and contemporary vibrancy. Cairo, located near the Nile Delta, originated from the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 641 CE, when the hamlet of Fustat was founded next to the Roman citadel of Babylon.

Nonetheless, the Cairo we recognize today commenced its formation in 969 CE with the establishment of a new city by the Fatimid dynasty. Over time, this emerging urban center gained significance, ultimately surpassing Fustat as the principal metropolitan hub during the Ayyubid and Mamluk eras, which extended from the 12th to the 16th century. The historical history has significantly influenced the city’s landscape, leading to Cairo being aptly designated as “the city of a thousand minarets” because of its extensive Islamic architecture.

In 1979, Cairo’s old core was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, acknowledging the city’s historical importance and architectural magnificence on a worldwide level. This distinction emphasizes the significance of safeguarding the city’s cultural legacy for posterity. Cairo, in addition to its historical significance, has emerged as a pivotal entity in the contemporary world, attaining a “Beta +” designation from the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC), which evaluates cities based on their integration into the global economy.

The impact of Cairo extends beyond its architectural and historical importance. The city features the oldest and largest film and music business in the Arab world, functioning as a cultural powerhouse that has influenced entertainment and artistic expression across the area for decades. Education significantly contributes to Cairo’s character, as Al-Azhar University, Egypt’s oldest higher learning institution, is located in the city. This esteemed school has served as a prominent center of Islamic study for over a thousand years, drawing students and intellectuals from around the Muslim world.

The city’s strategic significance is accentuated by its function as a center for international organizations and enterprises. Numerous worldwide media outlets, major enterprises, and international organizations have selected Cairo as the site for their regional headquarters. The Arab League, a regional organization of Arab governments, has predominantly retained its headquarters in Cairo, emphasizing the city’s diplomatic and political importance in the Arab world.

Cairo, despite its numerous advantages, encounters issues typical of many megacities worldwide. Elevated pollution levels and traffic congestion are enduring problems that adversely affect the quality of life for inhabitants. In addressing these difficulties, the city has allocated resources to public transit infrastructure, with the Cairo Metro exemplifying this initiative. Established in 1987, it is the oldest metro system in Africa and is among the fifteen busiest globally, with over 1 billion passenger journeys annually. This comprehensive network is essential for mitigating traffic congestion and offering efficient transit alternatives for Cairo’s millions of inhabitants.

Cairo’s economy is a crucial engine for both Egypt and the broader Middle East region. In 2005, the city’s economy was ranked first in the Middle East and attained the 43rd position internationally in Foreign Policy’s 2010 Global Cities Index. This economic strength is founded on a variety of areas. Cairo’s economy has always been supported by state institutions and services. Nonetheless, the 20th century witnessed considerable growth in the city’s industrial sector, especially in textiles and food processing, with sugar cane production serving as a prominent illustration.

The economic importance of Cairo inside Egypt is paramount. The city comprises 11% of the national population and contributes an excessive 22% to the economy, as assessed by purchasing power parity (PPP). Cairo functions as the commercial nucleus of the nation, with most of Egypt’s trade either originating in or transiting through the city. The city serves as the nucleus of Egypt’s publishing sector, media environment, and film production, housing practically all of the nation’s film studios inside its confines. Cairo hosts fifty percent of the nation’s hospital beds and universities, so reinforcing its position as the economic and intellectual hub of the country.

This economic vigor has accelerated swift urban expansion in Cairo. The city’s skyline is ever-changing, with 20% of its buildings being under 15 years old. The rapid development pace has created both benefits and problems. Although it has generated new housing, commercial facilities, and infrastructure, it has concurrently imposed considerable pressure on the city’s services. In recent decades, Cairo has faced deficiencies in several critical services, including housing, transportation, energy, telecommunications, and sewage systems. The magnitude and velocity of this urban transformation have been so significant that scholars have introduced terminology such as “hyper-urbanization” to characterize the process.