Cairo

Culture and History
in 649 Cairo was ruled by the Romans and called Foestat, as it was where the fortress of Babylon was built. After many conquests and the destruction of Baghdad, Cairo was the main cultural and intellectual city of the Middle East.

In the 19th century came the development of the city. The governor wanted to boost the image of the city and invested in international architects to create new European style designs and areas. This area is now the most cosmopolitan part of the city.

The town became known worldwide after it was opened to navigation after the Suez Canal was dug. This helped the city enjoy a huge growth period.

A major revolution in 1952 made an abrupt end to British rule. Since then the city has had an explosive population growth, which led to serious lack of housing. After independence the city the population grew steadily, and with the beginning of the revolution in 1952, the exploded In the '60s and '70s, on the west bank of the Nile an enormous amount of new suburbs were built out of nothing. Unfortunately not enough to stop the housing shortage, so in the east cluttered slums arose. Even now there is overcrowding, poverty and pollution in Cairo.

Hospitals and Medical care
Because public hospitals are often inadequate, the private health care in Cairo is excellent. We recommend to drink botteled water and not from the tap, but drink enough so yu do not get dehydrated from the heat.

There are pharmacies that are open 24 hours. Your hotel reception will be able to give you information about this. The Anglo-American Hospital and Misr International Hospital are hospitals with first-aid service.s

Ambulance - Phone 123

Events
In Cairo and its surroundings there are year-round festivals.
January - Egyptian International Marathon in Giza
February - the book fair
March - Cairo International Fair, the largest trade fair in Africa
July - Documentary Festival
September - Wafaa El Nile Festival, an experimental theater festival
October - Rally of the Pharaohs, a motorcycle rally and the Arab passenger market, a tourism fair.
December - International Canoe Festival, competitive sailing on the Nile and the Cairo International Film Festival.

Culinary Specialties
The cuisine offers a selection of local products (mezze), served on small plates and tradition with unleavened bread (aisesh ballad). Popular mezze dishes are Tamaya (veggie burgers) olives, tahina (sesame cream), babaghanoeg (mashed eggplant, garlic and tahina), hummus (mashed chick peas with garlic), wara'a einab (stuffed vine leaves) and other mahsji (vegetables from the time of the year - small black or white eggplants, peppers, cabbage, tomatoes - filled with a mixture of minced meat, rice, onions and spices), gebna beyda (feta) and torsji (vinegar pickled mixed vegetables - radishes, carrots or turnip marinated in vinegar).

Furthermore beef, lamb or chicken are the main meats eaten (pork is forbidden!). This is usually grilled over an open fire or stove pipe.