Cairo (ؓلقاهرة al-Qāhirah) is the capital of Egypt and with a total population in excess of 16 million people one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East (the regions which it conveniently straddles). It is also the 19th largest city in the world and among the world's most densely populated cities.

On the Nile river Cairo is famous for its own history preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and Coptic sites in Old Cairo. The Egyptian Museum in the centre of town is a must see with its countless Acient Egyptian artefacts as is shopping at the Khan al-Khalili bazaar. No trip to Cairo would be complete for example without a visit to the Giza Pyramids and to the nearby Saqqara Pyramid Complex where visitors will see Egypt's first step pyramid built by the architect Imhotep for the third dynasty Pharaoh Djoser.