EGYPT
Egypt has been referred to as the ‘Gift of the Nile’ due to the river
that has nourished the desert land and sustained one of the
most ancient, continuous civilizations in the world. The country
has long captured the world’s imagination as the magical land of
the Pharaohs and their awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, the only
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to survive.
Egypt offers you nature and desert treks, great scuba diving and
even golf, fi shing and birding expeditions.
As for the climate, throughout Egypt the days are commonly
warm or hot (average temp. 25°C), and nights are cool.
CAIRO
Cairo - the Triumphant City - is the glorious capital of Egypt. It is
the largest city in the Middle East and Africa and lies at the centre
of all routes that lead to and from Asia, Africa and Europe. Cairo
was founded on July 16, 969 AD by a Fatimid leader. It was
named ‘the city of the 1000 minarets’. Cairo is Africa’s most
populous city and the Arab world’s cultural center.
The city of Cairo is alsothe administrative capital of Egypt.
Officially it is known as al-Qahiray or the Triumphant City.
It is one of the world's largest urban areas (approx. 20 million) and offers many sites to see.
The great pyramids of Giza are located on the very edge of the city.
Cairo provides great culture, including art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House.
Shopping ranges from the famous
Khan el-Khalili souk (or bazaar), largely unchanged since the
14th centry, to modern air-conditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. Particularly
good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, leatherwork, glass. Some of the famous street markets are:
Wekala al-Balaq - fabrics;
Tentmakers Bazaar - appliqué-work;
Mohammed Ali Street - musical instruments;
Camel Market.
The
Egyptian Museum houses the finest, largest and most breathtaking collection of ancient Egyptian treasures in the
world including the
Tut Ankh Amon Collection and MUST be included in your sight seeing program.
The ancient quarters are located in Old Cairo with interesting sites such as the
Hanging Church, the
St. Barbara Church
and the
Abu Serga Church where, according to belief, the Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Child rested in the crypt upon
their arrival in Egypt. Other important sites are 11th century
Ben Ezra Synagogue, the
Saladin's Citadel with the
Mohamed Ali Mosque, a fine example of Ottoman architecture.
For more (tourist) information about Cairo, Egypt, please visit one of the following sites:
