Until the death of Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1848, he instituted a number of social and economic reforms that earned him the title of founder of modern Egypt. However, while Muhammad Ali initiated the construction of public buildings in the city, those reforms had minimal effect on Cairos landscape. Bigger changes came to Cairo under Ismail Pasha (r. 1863–1879), who continued the modernization processes started by his grandfather. Drawing inspiration from Paris, Ismail environs a city of maidans and wide avenues; due to financial constraints, only some of them, in the area now composing Downtown Cairo, came to fruition. Ismail also sought to modernize the city, which was merging with neighboring settlements, by establishing a public works ministry, bringing gas and lighting to the city, and opening a theater and opera house.
Cairo in a few words
Traveling to Cairo is an adventure that offers so much diversity its hard to express the thrill of the city using words. The historic and religious importance of the city is present in the faces of the people who live there. The buildings, mosques and churches bring old world charm to the city and the desert offer treasures that are waiting to be discovered. Cairo is a 21st century city that is firmly built on a culturally rich foundation that continues to expand as the past reveals itself. A holiday in Cairo is a walk through time thats unforgettable and uniquely comforting.
Cairo International Airport
Code: CAI
Tel: (02) 265 2222 (New Terminal).
Automated flight information tel: 0900 77777
Website: www.cairo-airport.com
Airport facilities: 24-hour foreign exchange, a tourist information point, duty-free shops, restaurants, shopping malls and a international car hire companies.
Cairo Attractions
- Giza and the Sphinx Pyramids: it is the countrys most famous tourist attraction.
- Egyptian Museum: The worlds great collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.
- Citadel: A grand castle built by Salah Al-Din.
- Al-Azhar Mosque: worlds oldest university.
- Ibn Tulun: The oldest, and maybe most wonderful mosque in Cairo.
- The Coptic Museum
- The "Hanging Church" (Church of the Virgin Mary)
- Cairo Tower (185 m./610 ft.) The tower offers a 360-view of Cairo.
- Al-Azhar Park: Landscaped gardens
- Khan El Khalily: Visitors find many merchants selling perfume, spices, gold, and Egyptian hand craft.
- Abdeen Palace. Located about one Kilometer away from the Midan El-Tahrir a five minutes walk, home of the last king of Egypt the exiled king Farouk.
- Pharaonic Village. It is about twenty minutes driving from Downtown.
