Cairo: The Largest City in Africa
Africa stands as the second-largest continent globally, following Asia, and is characterized by its vast reserves of untapped natural resources, regarded as the world’s essential reserve in contemporary times. Additionally, anthropologists have designated Africa as the cradle of humanity, having unearthed some of the oldest human traces in East Africa through archaeological excavations. The continent boasts climatic diversity that ranges from the temperate zones in the north to those in the south, traversing tropical and equatorial regions in between. Despite this diverse landscape, all African nations are classified as developing countries, having endured prolonged periods of colonization and underdevelopment. Nevertheless, several large cities within the continent exhibit vibrant activity and strategic commercial locations, with Cairo—Egypt’s capital situated along the Nile River—being the largest city in Africa.
The City of Cairo
Population and Location
The population of Cairo and its surrounding suburbs, known collectively as Greater Cairo, exceeds twenty million residents, constituting approximately one-quarter of Egypt’s total population. Although the core of the city is relatively small in area, it encompasses other cities such as Giza, Helwan, and Shubra El-Kheima. Cairo’s origins can be traced back to Amr ibn al-As, who founded the city of Fustat in 20 AH (Islamic calendar). Over the years, Cairo has experienced significant expansions, serving as the administrative capital of Egypt for over a millennium. The city was established between the branches of the Nile Delta and underwent modern expansion to the west during the reign of Khedive Ismail, leading to the development of what is known as Khedivial Cairo, designed in a style reminiscent of Paris. The city further expanded to the east during the era of Gamal Abdel Nasser, resulting in the establishment of Nasr City, one of the largest neighborhoods in contemporary Cairo.
Economy
As Egypt’s administrative and residential hub, Cairo has become the primary location for both domestic and foreign manufacturing and commercial enterprises. The majority of Egypt’s factories are situated in Helwan, south of Cairo, while the city center houses numerous commercial entities operating within the Egyptian stock market. This has established a direct correlation between Egypt’s economic progress and the advancement and prosperity of Cairo. In the financial sector, Cairo hosts numerous headquarters for major banks, regional organizations, and facilities that accommodate both regional and international conferences, including significant meetings for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Cultural Life
Cairo is at the heart of most cultural and artistic activities in Egypt, boasting an array of photography studios, theaters, and television channels. Although Arabic is the official language of Egypt, the Cairo dialect serves as the foundation for the city’s artistic expressions. This has facilitated the widespread popularity of the Cairo dialect across the Arab world, making it easily understandable even to non-Egyptians due to the prevalence of Egyptian artistic productions.