Current Issues in Present Day CairoCurrent Issues in Present Day Cairo

““The Crossroads of Asia & Africa” The Crossroads of Asia & Africa” versus “The Crossroads of America”versus “The Crossroads of America”

5,000 yr history compared to a 192 yr history!

Indiana became a Indiana became a state in 1816 state in 1816 (192 years ago!)(192 years ago!)

Section I: Cairo at a GlanceSection I: Cairo at a Glance

Cairo, Egypt (Masr, Masr)

One quarter of all Egyptians live in Cairo.

Often called, “Hollywood on the Nile”

Rapid

Construction: 1 building in 5

is less than 15 years old.

Have you seen the

effects of this elsewhere in the world?

Cairo is approx. HALF the size of Cairo is approx. HALF the size of NYC, and TWICE the population.NYC, and TWICE the population.

The Most Densely Populated CitiesThe Most Densely Populated Cities

050

100150200250300350400

Populat'nX

Populat'nDensity

MumbaiCairoDhakaSeoul

(porciones de gentepor milla cuadrada)

What are the ecological effects?What are the ecological effects?

Hyper-Urbanization:Hyper-Urbanization:Homes, roads, electricity in short supply. Homes, roads, electricity in short supply. Analysts coined "hyper-urbanization” to Analysts coined "hyper-urbanization” to

explain Cairo’s massive amounts of explain Cairo’s massive amounts of building, and planners struggled.building, and planners struggled.

PollutionPollution•Air has dangerous levels of lead, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide due to unregulated car emissions, urban industry, trash burning. • Due to a lack of rain, layout of tall buildings, narrow streets, Cairo has “bowl effect”. ***************************************************************************

• Mysterious black cloud appears every fall causes serious respiratory diseases and eye irritations

Housing ProblemHousing Problem Lack of affordable housing for rapidly Lack of affordable housing for rapidly

growing population has forced 5 growing population has forced 5 million+ poor Egyptians to live in million+ poor Egyptians to live in houses in cemeteries called “The City houses in cemeteries called “The City of the Dead”. of the Dead”. ****************************************************************************************************************************************

Other poor reside Other poor reside in “Garbage City”, in “Garbage City”, filled with trash filled with trash collected by the collected by the poor in hopes of poor in hopes of finding food / finding food / recyclables to sell recyclables to sell to the government.to the government.

Section II: Cairo has been called Section II: Cairo has been called “Africa’s Lost City”. Why?“Africa’s Lost City”. Why?

Location = Cairo has a look of Location = Cairo has a look of Middle Eastern rather than African.Middle Eastern rather than African.

Arabic Culture:Arabic Culture:Muslims Muslims from the from the Arab Arab Peninsula, Peninsula, led by led by Amr ibn Amr ibn al-A’as al-A’as introduceintroduced Islam d Islam into Egypt into Egypt 640AD).640AD).

Islamic Cairo Culture:Islamic Cairo Culture: Khan El-Khalili Khan El-Khalili

Khan el-Khalili is the Khan el-Khalili is the most entertaining most entertaining part of Cairo. The suq part of Cairo. The suq (which is the Arabic (which is the Arabic name for bazaar, or name for bazaar, or market) dates back to market) dates back to 1382, when Emir 1382, when Emir Djaharks el-Khalili Djaharks el-Khalili built a big khan or built a big khan or hotel for traders here. hotel for traders here.

Cairo: A City Re-Built Many TimesCairo: A City Re-Built Many Times

Downtown Cairo's blvds (think Paris) in 1800’s by Ismail the Magnificent, a

who “Europeanized” his capital

Pharaonic Egypt Pyramids, Sphinx, etc were built in a stretch more than 3,000 yrs

(starting 3050 BC)

Islamic Cairo is not more Islamic than the rest of the city, but is an

area that contains the most Islamic monuments, resurrected approx. 970 AD).

Cairo’s Layers

Result: Ancient and contemporary, Result: Ancient and contemporary, traditional and modern, coexist traditional and modern, coexist

throughout Cairo.throughout Cairo.

ConclusionConclusionCairo constantly struggles with its expanding population, issues w/ poor housing, pollution, traffic, etc. However, Cairo is rich with a 5,000+ yr old history, a society w/ pride for their homecountry, a unique“Middle East meets West” culture, & a a strong religious backing.

POP QUIZPOP QUIZ1. Cairo is the _____ most densely 1. Cairo is the _____ most densely

populated city in the world. (1populated city in the world. (1stst? 2? 2ndnd? ? 33rdrd?)?)

2. What are some problems that modern 2. What are some problems that modern day Cairo is facing today?day Cairo is facing today?

3. T/F Cairo and Egypt are so 3. T/F Cairo and Egypt are so synonymous to Egyptians that they synonymous to Egyptians that they share the same Arabic name.share the same Arabic name.

4. Why is Cairo called “Africa’s Lost City”?4. Why is Cairo called “Africa’s Lost City”?5. Write one other point you learned 5. Write one other point you learned

about Present Day Cairo today.about Present Day Cairo today.