Changes

[[Image:5457e.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''Photograph taken by [http://www.ianandwendy.com Ian Sewell]'']]

[[Image:5457e.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Pyramid and [[Sphinx]], east of '''Cairo''' across the Nile (''photograph taken by [http://www.ianandwendy.com Ian Sewell])'']]

'''Cairo''' is the capital of [[Egypt]] and is home to 16 million people.<ref> http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf</ref>  It sits in the upper part of Egypt on the bank of the [[Nile River]]. The city, is still growing, though more slowly than in the past, as Egypt's population growth slows, and the movement of major employers, including many government institutions, to satellite cities such as 6th October, Giza and Helwan.

[[File:Egypt rel97.jpg|thumb|200px|right|'''Cairo''' is located in northeast [[Egypt]], where the Nile branches into the Nile Delta flowing to the [[Mediterranean Sea]].]]

Technically, Cairo only refers to the city on the east bank of the Nile, the west bank being Giza, which is administratively separate. The city is part of a large built up area that covers four governates and several cities.

 

Technically, Cairo only refers to the city on the east bank of the Nile, the west bank being Giza, which is administratively separate. Cairo is part of a large built-up area that covers four governates and several cities. The city is typically called by the name of the country, Misr (مصر, Egypt, "Mezz-ruh" or "Masr").<ref name="ixp">

 

 

 

 

== Transport ==

== Transport ==

=== Tram ===

=== Tram ===

Cairo used to have an extensive tram network, but much of it has been lifted in recent decades and now only two systems run, both serving the north of the city. The Heliopolis tram dates to 1906 (the oldest on the continent), and was one of the first electric tram systems in the world. Sadly, the system is now run down, as development of the Metro has been deemed a better solution to the city's transportation issues. However, many people like the tram for it's relaxed ride and airiness, despite it's slow pace, and until Line 3 reaches Heliopolis, the tram is still the subrubs only rail based transport option. The system is a hybrid of street running and segregated. From it's downtown terminus at Ramesses it runs on it's own dedicated alignment, parelell to Metro Line 1, before parting with the Metro and entering Heliopolis suburb, where it split into three branches, all running on street. The entire system uses 1000mm gauge, the only system in Egypt to do so. Like the Metro, it takes power from overhead wires.  

Cairo used to have an extensive tram network, but much of it has been lifted in recent decades and now only two systems run, both serving the north of the city. The Heliopolis tram dates to 1906 (the oldest on the continent), and was one of the first electric tram systems in the world. Sadly, the system is now run down, as development of the Metro has been deemed a better solution to the city's transportation issues. However, many people like the tram for its relaxed ride and airiness, despite its slow pace, and until Line 3 reaches Heliopolis, the tram is still the subrubs only rail based transport option. The system is a hybrid of street running and segregated. From its downtown terminus at Ramesses, it runs on a dedicated track, parallel to Metro Line 1, before parting with the Metro and entering Heliopolis suburb, where it splits into three branches, all running on street. The entire system uses 1000&nbsp;mm gauge, the only system in Egypt to do so. Like the Metro, it takes power from overhead electric wires.

=== Metro ===

=== Metro ===

Slated a model system, the Metro is a source of great pride to many Egyptians. The only system of it's kind on the continent and the entire Middle East, the Metro is clean, organised and efficient. It has 53 stations and carries over 700 million passengers a year. Two lines have been built so far, with Line 3 (with two branches and an airport link) currently under construction, and several more in planning. The Metro includes the only tunnel crossing the Nile at any point, on Line 2.

Slated a model system, the Metro is a source of great pride to many Egyptians. The only system of its kind on the continent and the entire Middle East, the Metro is clean, organised and efficient. It has 53 stations and carries over 700 million passengers a year. Two lines have been built so far, with Line 3 (with two branches and an airport link) currently under construction, and several more in planning. The Metro includes the only tunnel crossing the Nile at any point, on Line 2.

The Metro is unusual in it's administration, in that it is not run by the city government transport authority. As it crosses governate and city borders, it is actually administered by Egypt National Railways, although it's ticketing and branding are entirely separate. The Metro has a heavily subsidised flat fare of LE1 for every journey, which, again unusually, is purchased from a manned ticket office, although the ticket checking system is enforced by fully electronic ticket gate systems. Furthermore, some carriages (originally 1, now often 2) are reserved solely for women. Signs on the platform indicate where women only carriage stop, and on the cars, signs on the exterior above the doors indicate that it is a women only carriage.

The Metro is unusual in its administration, in that it is not run by the city government transport authority. As it crosses governate and city borders, it is actually administered by Egypt National Railways, although its ticketing and branding are entirely separate. The Metro has a heavily subsidised flat fare of LE1 for every journey, which, again unusually, is purchased from a manned ticket office, although the ticket checking system is enforced by fully electronic ticket gate systems. Furthermore, some carriages (originally 1, now often 2) are reserved solely for women. Signs on the platform indicate where women only carriage stop, and on the cars, signs on the exterior above the doors indicate that it is a women only carriage.

Routes:<br>

Routes:<br>

=== Buses ===

=== Buses ===

Cairo and it's conurbation have a number of overlapping bus systems. The municipal authority has the most extensive network, branded "CTA". These buses are large single deckers with white colour scheme with the CTA logo displayed in black down the flanks. They operate on fixed routes, indicated by a three digit number. Most services run every few minutes, and some run 24 hours a day. Fares are 50pt for standard buses and LE2 for air conditioned services, where standing is not permitted, ensuring a more comfortable, less cramped journey. Bus services are always slower than the metro, due to the heavy congestion on many routes.  

Cairo and its conurbation have a number of overlapping bus systems. The municipal authority has the most extensive network, branded "CTA". These buses are large single deckers with white colour scheme with the CTA logo displayed in black down the flanks. They operate on fixed routes, indicated by a three digit number. Most services run every few minutes, and some run 24 hours a day. Fares are 50pt for standard buses and LE2 for air conditioned services, where standing is not permitted, ensuring a more comfortable, less cramped journey. Bus services are always slower than the metro, due to the heavy congestion on many routes.  

Private microbuses also operate and to some degree overlap with other services. Some of these also run 24 hours and can be quicker as they have much shorter loading and unloading times, as they carry few passengers.  

Private microbuses also operate and to some degree overlap with other services. Some of these also run 24 hours and can be quicker as they have much shorter loading and unloading times, as they carry few passengers.  

===Egyptian Museum===

===Egyptian Museum===

Downtown Cairo houses the world famous Egyptian Museum, which has the largest collection of Pharaonic artefacts in the world, including the famous treasure of [[Tutankhamun]]. One of the first curators of the museum, and the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation is buried in it's grounds, which also house a pond planted with the now endangered Nile Lotus flower. The museum is one of the oldest in Africa, and was founded in the 1850's, though at a different location to it's current home, which dates to the early 20th century, and was purpose built, though long ago exceeded it's intended storage and display capacity.

Downtown Cairo houses the world famous Egyptian Museum, which has the largest collection of Pharaonic artefacts in the world, including the famous treasure of [[Tutankhamun]]. One of the first curators of the museum, and the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation is buried in its grounds, which also house a pond planted with the now endangered Nile Lotus flower. The museum is one of the oldest in Africa, and was founded in the 1850's, though at a different location to its current home, which dates to the early 20th century, and was purpose built, though long ago exceeded its intended storage and display capacity.

===Coptic Cairo===

===Coptic Cairo===

Coptic Cairo is one of Cairo's oldest surviving quarters, dating to the Roman era, whose fortifications are still standing, and include much looted masonry from the Pharaonic cities of Memphis and Heliopolis, both nearby. Coptic Cairo is home to many famous churches such as the "Hanging Church", named for it's famous architecture. It is also home to the cathedral of St. Jospeh and the Coptic Museum, run by the Patriarchiate, and home to the largest museum collection of Coptic antiquities in the world. It was one of the first museums in Egpyt to make use of interactive media to present it's exhibits via the internet, and has an extensive online catalogue to aid those researching artefacts of the true religion. Coptic Cairo also has several monasteries, and many work with city youth and help the poor of the city, as well as being involved in small scale model enterprises. The area has seen much investment of late in being redeveloped to make it appealing to tourism and improve the quality of life for it's residence, and avoid the donut effect that has been feared with the move of major employers to the new satellite towns.

Coptic Cairo is one of Cairo's oldest surviving quarters, dating to the Roman era, whose fortifications are still standing, and include much looted masonry from the Pharaonic cities of Memphis and Heliopolis, both nearby. Coptic Cairo is home to many famous [[Christian]] churches such as the "Hanging Church", named for its famous architecture. It is also home to the Cathedral of [[St. Joseph]] and the [[Coptic Museum]], run by the Patriarchiate, and home to the largest museum collection of Coptic antiquities in the world. It was one of the first museums in Egpyt to make use of interactive media to present its exhibits via the internet, and has an extensive online catalogue to aid those researching artefacts of the true religion. Coptic Cairo also has several monasteries, and many work with city youth and help the poor of the city, as well as being involved in small-scale model enterprises. The area has seen much investment, of late, in being redeveloped to make it appealing to tourism and improve the quality of life for its residents, and to avoid the "donut effect" (of inner-city blight) that has been feared with the move of major employers to the new satellite towns.

===Gezira Island===

===Gezira Island===

Gezira Island is one of the most exclusive districts, and is home to many foreign embassies, the rich, and much of the cities green space. It is also home to Cairo's moodern landmarks, the [[Cairo Opera House]], and Cairo Tower, which is taller than the Great Pyramid.  

Gezira Island is one of the most exclusive districts, and is home to many foreign embassies, the rich, and much of the city's green space. It is also home to some of Cairo's modern landmarks, the [[Cairo Opera House]], and Cairo Tower, which is taller than the [[Great Pyramid]] in the desert to the west.

 

[[Category:Egypt]]

[[Category:Egypt]]