Cities of Egypt

Egypt is the birthplace of one of the oldest civilizations on the world and although most of it is desert, it is worth while visiting. Almost every city in Egypt presents an exceptional destination for both a holiday and an opportunity for learning about this mesmerizing country's history. From the metropolitan Cairo and its magical atmosphere, to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel and Luxor, those who want to visit Egypt will have a hard time choosing their destination. However, which ever city they pick, they will not make a mistake.
Although Egypt's urban history is largely a post-World War II phenomenon.  Cairo is the country's capital and largest city. Its population grew from 1.5 million to more than 6 million, whereas the population of Giza (Al Jizah) grew even more dramatically, from 18,000 to 1.6 million.
Cairo is an ancient city that has been continuously inhabited for more than 3,500 years. Many of the city's renowned mosques date back to the medieval period. Cairo grew as a center for the production and export of textiles and refined sugar and for goods manufactured from cotton, flax, and sugarcane. Cairo was also a transshipment center for overland trade from India and Africa to Europe.
The plague devastated Cairo and the rest of Egypt between 1347 and 1350 killing about 40 percent of the country's population.
When the Europeans discovered a maritime route to India and China around the Cape of Good Hope, Cairo lost its role as a transshipment center. Although Cairo remained Egypt's administrative and commercial center, but it experienced relative economic stagnation during next three centuries.
With the completion of the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869, cairo revitalized and continued to grow.
Alexandria is Egypt's second largest city. It is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and has been an important port ever since its foundation more than 2,300 years ago. The city declined dramatically when its maritime trade with Europe ceased as a result of new sea routes. During the 19th century, Alexandria grew substantially due to industrialization.
During 1990s, Alexandria became a major industrial center that included two large oil refineries; chemical, cement, and metal plants; textile mills; and food processing operations. Alexandria is also Egypt's most important harbor for exports and imports.
Egypt's third and fourth largest cities are Giza and Shubra al Khaymah. They are part of Greater Cairo. The rapid growth of these cities also occured after World War II. Giza  is the location of Cairo University and the famed Pyramids of Giza, while Shubra al Khaymah is a manufacturing suburb with a heavy concentration of textile factories.