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Alexandria

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Alexandria is a major city in Egypt.

Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast (154431)
Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast (154431)

It sits along the northern coast of the country. The city is located at the western edge of the Nile River Delta. It is the largest city on the Mediterranean coast.

Corniche of Alexandria
Corniche of Alexandria

People often call it the "Bride of the Mediterranean." Others call it the "Pearl of the Mediterranean Coast." It is Egypt's most important seaport. It is also the second largest city in Egypt after Cairo.

This city works as a huge center for trade and industry.

Alexandria red double decker bus
Alexandria red double decker bus

It has a large financial sector and many banks. The city is home to the Alexandria Shipyard. Its ancient port is one of the busiest in the country.

The citadel of qaitbay with fishing boats
The citadel of qaitbay with fishing boats

Alexandria is a major hub for science and culture. It hosts the annual Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival. This festival takes place at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

مكتبة الإسكندرية الجديدة
مكتبة الإسكندرية الجديدة

The city also has an opera house and several famous museums.

Alexander the Great founded the city in 331 BC.

Macedonian Army Alexander
Macedonian Army Alexander

He wanted to build a large Greek city on the coast. He chose a site near an old settlement called Rhacotis.

Plan of Alexandria c 30 BC Otto Puchstein 1890s EN
Plan of Alexandria c 30 BC Otto Puchstein 1890s EN

A leader named Ptolemy I Soter later made it a capital. The city became a center for the Ptolemaic Kingdom. It was a leading place for learning during the Hellenistic age. At one time, it was the most populous city in the ancient world. It remained a leading city for almost a thousand years.

Many amazing things happened in Alexandria throughout history.

PhareAlexandrie
PhareAlexandrie

It was home to the Great Library of the ancient world. The city also had the Lighthouse of Alexandria. This lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Alexandria historic buildings DSCF5543 (cropped)
Alexandria historic buildings DSCF5543 (cropped)

Another famous site was the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. These were one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. The city was also a very important center for early Christianity. It served as a major trading hub for goods like spices and silk.

Today, Alexandria is a very large and busy place.

Alexandria tram
Alexandria tram

In 2023, the population was about 6,100,000 people. It is the sixth-largest city in the Arab world. It is also the seventh-largest city in the Middle East.

It is the eleventh-largest city in Africa. Visitors come to see the many museums and sporting events. The city connects the Mediterranean Sea to the rich Nile valley. It remains a vital part of the modern world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (32)
File:Plan of Alexandria c 30 BC Otto Puchstein 1890s EN.svg
Plan of Alexandria c 30 BC Otto Puchstein...
File:PhareAlexandrie.jpg
PhareAlexandrie.jpg
File:Alexandrie et phare.jpg
Alexandrie et phare.jpg
File:Louis-François Cassas, Alexandrie, nommée par les Arabes, Eskanderyeh.jpg
Louis-François Cassas, Alexandrie, nommée...
File:Bombardamento Alessandria 1882.jpg
Bombardamento Alessandria 1882.jpg
File:Macedonian Army Alexander.jpg
Macedonian Army Alexander.jpg
File:Canopic Street Alexandria 1784 by LF Cassa.png
Canopic Street Alexandria 1784 by LF Cassa.png
File:S03 06 01 018 image 2380.jpg
S03 06 01 018 image 2380.jpg
File:EWUG visit to Alexandria, April 2025 - 08.jpg
EWUG visit to Alexandria, April 2025 - 08.jpg
File:Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast (154431).jpg
Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast (154431).jpg
File:View from Montaza.jpg
View from Montaza.jpg
File:Bibliotheca Alexandrina - 20080720e.jpg
Bibliotheca Alexandrina - 20080720e.jpg

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