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Spread across an area of more
than 453 sq km (more than 175 sq m), the city of Cairo is
hard to separate some of its immediate suburbs. Bordered by
the desert to the east, south, and west and bracketed by the
fertile Nile delta to the north, Cairo is located on the
river, and yet it spreads farther on the east bank than it
does on the west.
Several river islands make up the area of Cairo and these
play an important role in the life of the city. As the
area’s prime commercial, administrative, and tourist center,
the city of Cairo contains many cultural institutions,
business establishments, governmental offices, universities,
and hotels. Together these institutions create a
beehive of continuous activity. and named it Al Qāhira (Cairo).
Tahrir Square is the center
of downtown Cairo and is located on the east bank.
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A center of tourist
activity, the wide, open square boasts several
attractions, namely the Egyptian Museum, the Arab
League headquarters, and the modern Umar Makram
Mosque.
Al Kurnish, Cairo’s
prime traffic area spreads from north to south along
the east bank. Situated not too far is the narrow
strip of land is one of the city’s more current
residential districts known as Garden City. The
river island of Zamālik (also called Jazīrah,
meaning “the Island”) is located in the center of
the city and it contains the more expensive
residential and commercial neighborhood. |
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This area is called the Zamālik and it includes the
Cairo Opera House (founded in 1869), and the Cairo Tower
(1957).
The island is linked by three bridges to both banks of the
river. Two additional bridges link the mainland to the
island of Al Rawdah, located to the south while another
bridge to the north brings in road and rail traffic across
the Nile.
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Cairo’s situation and
orientation gives non-subjective information about
the geographical location and the layout of the
country’s capital city. Cairo sits within the
geographical co-ordinates of 30.2 N and 31.21 E. It
is located on the banks of river Nile, which has
inordinately influenced the location and orientation
of the city.
The city’s topography is dominated by rivers,
deserts and plateau. The largest part of Cairo is on
the East Bank of the River Nile. The most famous
tourist attractions like the Pyramids and the Sphinx
are found on the West Bank. The small residential
isle of Zamalek is on the Nile.
The Gezira Club
occupies greater part of the island and the famous
Opera House is also located on this island.
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East of Cairo are the
fascinating Mu'qutum Hills which is a great place to spend
the evening. Cairo’s downtown is a well-planned section and
is a wonderful place. The way the city is placed and planned
is modeled on the great city of Paris. An obvious
characteristic is the city’s modern and commercial
architecture. Large and small hotels, a variety of retail
outlets, travel agencies and restaurants are mostly found in
this part of the city. The downtown Cairo area is located to
the east and north east of Midan Tahrir.
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