Cairo

CAIRO -- "Al-Qahira" --is Egypt's capital and the largest city in the Middle East and Africa. A pivotal city linking Europe, Africa and Asia, it is a vibrant, exotic metropolis thriving with culture, energy and life. Cairo, in essence, represents the embodiment of 5,000 years of civilisation, and plays host to 26 per cent of Egypt's population.

It is a true melting pot of different cultures and civilisations, where Pharaonic, Graeco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic landmarks co-exist, and where history and modernity are blended in astounding and, occasionally, hectic harmony. There are ancient sites and old souks,quarters and alleys, as well as modern buildings, five-star hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas and theatres.

In Cairo, it's possible to spend the morning at a Pharaonic site or stroll through a mediaeval quarter, have lunch in an Italian restaurant, shop in Khan Al-Khalili and watch a belly-dancer or attend a concert in the Opera House at night.

The core foundations of the city of Cairo were laid in 969 AD by the Fatimid Dynasty, who set about building a new city which they called Al-Qahira (The Victorious). Although the Fatimids did not remain in power for long, their city grew under subsequent dynasties to become a capital of great wealth, filled with merchants from distant lands, laden with bazaars of exotic wares. Cairo eventually swelled and burst its walls, spreading north, spawning a port area, Bulaq to the west, extending south onto the island of Roda. But at its heart, it remained a mediaeval city for 900 years.

It was not until the reign of Khedive Ismail -- grandson of Mohamed Ali -- in the mid-19th century, that Cairo started to change in any significant way. During his 16-year reign, Ismail invited architects from Belgium, France and Italy to design and build a new European-style Cairo beside the old Islamic City.

The city's uniqueness is derived from the fact that it suits all tastes. For culture and history fans, there are the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, early Christian churches such as the Hanging Church and Saint Sergius, Mamluke and Ottoman mosques such as Sultan Hassan, Ibn Tulun and Al-Rifa'i, as well as the Citadel.

Ancient sites aside, Cairo is a city alive with activity 24 hours a day. On both banks of the Nile, there are restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines: Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Chinese and Japanese. There are also a number of floating restaurants where visitors can enjoy a wonderful meal on a two-hour cruise on the Nile. Most of these floating restaurants provide live music programmes, traditional dance shows and whirling dervish dancers.

For visitors who want to dance the night away, there are numerous upbeat restaurants, pubs, bars, nightclubs and discos. For those interested in the cultural side of the city, there are various cinemas, theatres, an Opera House, galleries and cultural centres. For those with children, there are a variety of amusement parks, gardens and fast food restaurants, all catering to children and their needs.

Shopping, of course, is a key aspect of any traveller's itinerary, and in Cairo it is a real experience, ranging from the world's oldest bazaar, Khan Al-Khalili, which offers magnificent arts and crafts, precious metalwork, perfumes, leather, carpets, and ceramics, to the modern, high-tech, air-conditioned malls featuring the latest fashions.

Cairo facts

Egypt's capital is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East and a principal link to Europe, Africa and Asia.

Population: 7 million (Cairo alone), 18 million (Greater Cairo: Cairo, Giza and Qalubiya governorates).

Industries: Iron and steel, textile, glass, leather products, cement and food products.

Sights: Pharaonic: Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara and the Egyptian Museum. Coptic: Hanging (Mo'allaqa) and Abu Serga Churches in Old Cairo, the Coptic Museum and the Virgin's Tree in Matariya. Islamic: Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, Al-Rifa'i and Sultan Hassan mosques, the Islamic Museum, Al-Azhar Mosque, Bab Zeweila, Bab Al-Fotouh, Bab Al-Nasr, Bayt Al-Seheimi and the Gayer Anderson House. Modern: Cairo Tower, the Pharaonic Village, the Opera House, October War Panorama and Media Production City in the 6th of October City.

Hotels: Marriott (+202) 340-8888; Conrad (+202) 580-8000; Mena House Oberoi (+202) 383-3222; Four Seasons (+202) 573-1212; Cairo Sheraton (+202) 737-3737; Nile Hilton (+202) 578-0444; Flamenco (+202) 735-0815; Windsor (+202) 591-5277; and Cosmopolitan (+202) 392-384.

Restaurants: Everything from international to Oriental, French to Chinese, sushi to fast food. Examples: Alfy Bey, downtown (oriental dishes, lamb chops, Kebab, grilled chicken or stuffed pigeons); Peking, Zamalek (Chinese); La Casetta, Heliopolis (Italian); Chilli's, Maadi, Zamalek and Heliopolis (Tex-Mex); Shabrawi, Heliopolis and Omda, Mohandessin (traditional meals of fuul and tamiyya)

Stadiums:1)Cairo International Stadium, capacity 72,000, Salah Salem Street, 8km (20 min) from Cairo International Airport, 14km (30 min) from city centre

2) Arab Contractors Stadium, capacity 45,000, Al-Nasr Road, 10km (25 min) from Cairo International Airport, 12km (30 min) from city centre

3) Mubarak Stadium, capacity 65,000, Cairo-Fayoum Road, 30km (45 min) from Cairo International Airport, 10km (20 min) from city centre (Planned)

Famous football teams :Ahli, Arab contractors, Enppi, Zamalek, Tersana