By: Fiona Bultonsheen
Cairo is approximately 214 square kilometers in area and 841
miles from the Mediterranean Sea.
Cairo ( is
is the capital city
of Egypt
Nearly one-third of the entire Egyptian population live in Egypt.
Cairo was constructed about1,000 years ago in A.D. 969 by the
Fatimid dynasty’s leader Jawhar Al Sekelly to function as a
protected, majestic capital. Ever since then, Cairo became the
capital of Egypt and many flock to it as it is the largest city
in the continent of Africa and the Arab world.
This breathtaking city
happens to reside on the banks of
the Nile.
.
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Even now, Egyptians are mainly Arab and ancient
Egyptian direct descendants.
10% of Egyptians are Christian and 90% are Muslim.
Arabic is the official language in Egypt
.
As with most of Egypt, Cairo is more conservative
so it is important to dress appropriately: a
women’s shoulders and knees should always be
covered and men should wear long pants/trousers.
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Because of its close proximity
to the Pyramids of Giza and
the Sphinx about 4.3 million
tourists charge to Cairo each
year.
From the months
of
June to August, Cairo can
reach a scorching average of
95 to 104 degrees
Fahrenheit, while from
November to February the
area stays within the
comfortable 60s degree
range.
Astoundingly,
Cairo receives
approximately
22 mm. / 1in of
rain in a year.
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Al Azhar Mosque and University
The Al Azhar Mosque was named after
Muhammad’s daughter, Fatima Az-Zahraa.
Starting in A.D. 971 the mammoth project
was completed in merely two years. In 988, it became a school
of theology known as a Islamic Shia school
,
although now it is a Sunni school
that claims
to be the oldest Islamic university in the world.
The Citadel of Cairo
This fortress is located on
Mokattam hill in the center
of Cairo, which demonstrates
how this spot was very
useful for the 700 hundred
years Egyptians ruled here
after Saladin built it in the
12th century.
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Now it serves as a historical site
with mosques and museums.
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Museum of Islamic Art
Regarded as the one of the
finest museums in the world,
the Museum of Islamic Art,
contains over 100,000 items
and was established in 1858.
Al-Ghouri Complex
Sultan Qansuh Al-Ghouri built
this complex in 1503 before he
died in battle. It resides on both
sides of Al-Mo'ez Street. Now the
Al-Ghouri Complex boasts
cultural events and religious
recitals.
CUISINE IN CAIRO
Throughout Egyptian history, it is clear that there is a great love and
taste for food. Depictions on tombs and in temples display rich feasts
and a great diversity of food.
Commodities such as peas, beans, wheat, barley, fish, poultry
cucumber
, grapes, figs
, and dates
are popular in the ancient epoch and in modern Cairo.
Some favorite meals include: Gebna Makleyah, Shai (Mint Tea) and
Baklava, Koushari, Kebob, Falafel, Fatayeer, and *Ful Medames
Note: There are changes to meals due to Ramadan.
*some Egyptians consider it as the national dish. It’s eaten during breakfast
especially early when someone is preparing for Ramadan
because it is very filling.
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Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt
Ramadan
9th month
During Ramadan
sunrise to sunset.
which takes place in the
of the Islamic lunar calender.
Muslims partake in a fast
Al Azhar Mosque
from
In order to break the fast, after the sun sets, Muslims eat their
breakfast
which consists of dates
and sweets.
Ramadan begins with the
sighting of the crescent
moon.
Egypt’s symbol for Ramadan is
the lantern
which
can be seen lining Cairo ‘s
streets.
Canons
signal the start of
the fast
.
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A special thank you
to these following websites:
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http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/egypt-photos/
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http://www.love-egypt.com/images/cairo.jpg
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http://www.egyptgiftshop.com/egyptguide/cairo.html
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Islamic_Art,_Cairo

http://www.safariegypt.com/Information/cairo/cairo_egypt.html
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http://www.cairo.world-guides.com/
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http://www.zohery.com/2.html
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo_Citadel
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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YrHw0ASZjQ/TbXqnCNDMTI/AAAAAAAAANw/Ncwq0x7Oqog/s1600/Cairo+on+Egypt+Map.jpg
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http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Egypt.html
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http://www.foodtourism.com/2007/01/food-in-cairo-e.html
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http://americanbedu.com/2011/08/01/saudi-arabia-a-non-muslim-is-invited-to-an-iftar/
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http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/images/foul-meddames.jpg
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http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/travel/03ramadan.html?pagewanted=all
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http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays/ramadan2.htm
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan
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http://egyptal.wordpress.com/
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http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/ramadan/
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http://springtours.com/Cairo/cairo-al-azhar-university.html

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/cairo-citadel.htm

http://en.egypt.travel/attraction/index/al-ghouri-complex-in-cairo

http://www.egypt-cairo.com/egypt_ethnic_groups.html

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html
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http://www.skyscanner.net/news/cairo.egypt.JPG