Alexandria

Alexandria is a major city in Egypt, lying at the western edge of the Nile River Delta and stretching about 40 km (25 mi) along the country's northern coast. It is Egypt's principal seaport, the second largest city after Cairo, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, Alexandria quickly became one of the most important cities of the ancient world, known for its advances in science, culture, and scholarship.

Today, Alexandria remains a vital center for industry, finance, and tourism. It is nicknamed the "Bride of the Mediterranean" and attracts visitors with its beautiful coastline and modern amenities. The city hosts important cultural events such as the Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival and is home to landmarks like the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Alexandria Opera House, and several museums. With a population of over 6 million, Alexandria continues to thrive as a key economic and cultural hub in the Arab world, the Middle East, and Africa.

Historically, Alexandria was famous for wonders such as the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Great Library, which was the largest in the ancient world. The city also played a significant role in the spread of early Christianity and was an important center for learning and trade for many centuries.

Name

Alexandria was built on an earlier settlement called Rhacotis. It was founded by Alexander the Great and named Alexándreia hḗ kat' Aígypton, meaning "Alexandria by Egypt," because it was near the edge of Egypt. During Roman times, the name changed to Alexandrēa ad Aegyptum. Later, after the Rashiduns took control in AD 641, the name became al-ʔiskandariyya in Arabic.

History

Main article: History of Alexandria

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Alexandria.

Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in April 331 BC. He chose the spot to build a city that would connect Greece with the Nile River valley. The city grew quickly and became a very important place for trade and learning.

After Alexander left, his general Ptolemy Lagides made Alexandria the capital of Egypt. The city became rich and busy with people from many places, including Greeks, Egyptians, and Jews. It was home to a famous library and a place for scientists and thinkers. Later, Alexandria saw many changes as different rulers took control, but it always remained a key city in the Mediterranean world.

Geography

Alexandria is a major city in Egypt, located on the southern coast of the Mediterranean. It lies in the western part of the Nile delta area and is known for its dense population and large administrative area. The city's ground is made up of various types of soil and rock, including sand, clay, and limestone from long ago.

Alexandria has a climate that is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. It experiences warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The city is one of the wettest places in Egypt, with occasional storms and rain, especially in the cooler months. Because of its position near the Nile delta, Alexandria is particularly vulnerable to effects of climate change and sea level rise. Scientists predict that rising sea levels could affect many buildings in the city in the coming years.

Ancient layout

Greek Alexandria was divided into three main regions: Rhakotis, the old city absorbed into Alexandria; Brucheum, the Royal or Greek quarter and the most magnificent part of the city; and the Jewish quarter, located in the northeast portion of the city.

The city was laid out as a grid of parallel streets, each with a subterranean canal. Two wide streets, each about 60 metres apart, crossed in the centre near where the tomb of Alexander once stood. Alexandria began as the island of Pharos, linked to the mainland by a long mole called the Heptastadion. The famous lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, stood on Pharos.

Administration

Alexandria grew a lot in the 20th century, spreading out to the east, west, and south. The city's expansion eastward was helped by the Abu Qir railway, which made it easier for people to live in areas like Sidi Bishr, Mandara, and Maamoura. To the west, the city reached places such as El-Max and El-Dekheila. Southward, it extended towards Kafr El-Dawwar and Amriya.

Today, Alexandria is divided into nine administrative districts. Some of the main districts include the First Montazah District, the Central District, and the Customs District, each containing several smaller areas and villages.

Economy

Alexandria is an important city for Egypt's future plans, known as Egypt Vision 2030. The city has a strong economy, mainly because it is a big center for industry. About 40% of Egypt's industry, like making chemicals, metals, and clothes, happens here. Alexandria is also home to Egypt's largest port, which helps with trade and tourism. The city has many new projects that help people start businesses, and it costs less to live there than in other big cities like Cairo.

The city has many factories and places where things are made, thanks to its big port, the Port of Alexandria. These factories make many things, such as clothes, medicine, iron, steel, food, home appliances, and plant food. Alexandria also grows a lot of crops like wheat, cotton, and rice. It is also a key place for Egypt's petroleum industry, where oil is cleaned and turned into fuel. With its nice weather, beaches, and ancient sites, tourism is also important for Alexandria. People come to fish in the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariout, and there are farms with many cattle and other animals.

Cityscape

Main article: Central District (Alexandria)

Main article: Pompey's Pillar (column)

Main article: Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Main article: Kom El Deka

Main article: Taposiris Magna

Main article: Citadel of Qaitbay

Alexandria's cityscape is a beautiful mix of old and new. You can see ancient structures like Pompey's Pillar and the Roman Theatre right alongside modern streets and the seaside Corniche. Important landmarks include the Citadel of Qaitbay, Stanley Bridge, and the Alexandria Opera House. The city has been a cultural center for centuries, first gaining fame as a Hellenistic hub with wonders like the Great Library and the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria.

The city's architecture tells a story of many cultures. From ancient times to the present, styles like Renaissance, Art Deco, and Neo-Classical can be seen. Places like Montaza Palace and Saad Zaghloul Square show how Egyptian heritage mixes with European influences. Today, Alexandria continues to grow, balancing its rich history with modern needs. In late 2025, the city celebrated 100 years of its beautiful Art Deco buildings. Efforts are underway to preserve old cinemas and buildings, giving them new purposes while keeping the city's history alive.

Excavation

People have worked hard to uncover the ancient treasures of Alexandria. Explorers, including Greeks looking for the tomb of Alexander the Great, have tried to dig up important sites. However, it is very hard to dig in Alexandria because the modern city sits right on top of the ancient one.

Some parts of the old city are underwater because of earthquakes and changes in the land. French explorer Franck Goddio and his team have studied these underwater areas, finding interesting items like a statue of Caesarion. In other areas, researchers have found big buildings, catacombs, and tombs, such as those near "Pompey's Pillar" and in Kom El Shoqafa. These discoveries help us learn more about the history of Alexandria.

Infrastructure

Alexandria is a major city with many places for learning. It has several universities, such as Alexandria University, which includes famous schools like the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering. There are also special universities like the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport. In 2023, a branch of the Greek University of Patras opened in Alexandria, offering courses in Greek culture, language, and philosophy.

The city also has many schools, including French, English, German, and Italian schools. Some of these schools have been around for a long time, with French missionaries starting schools in the early 1800s. Today, there are many different schools, such as the British School of Alexandria, Schutz American School, and Victoria College, offering various educational programs.

Healthcare in Alexandria includes both public and private hospitals. The city has many hospitals, such as the Alexandria University Hospitals and private ones like Elite Hospital and Hassab Hospital. Alexandria is also becoming a place for medical tourism because of its location by the sea and its specialized healthcare centers.

Transport in Alexandria is varied. The city has an international airport, Alexandria International Airport, with two terminals. There are also many roads, such as the Alexandria Corniche, which connects different parts of the city. Alexandria has four ports, including the main Alexandria Port and the smaller Dekhela Port. The city has a commuter rail system and two main railway stations, Misr Station and Sidi Gaber railway station. Public buses are also common, with many routes operated by the Alexandria Passenger Transport Authority. Trams have been a part of Alexandria's transport since 1860, and the network runs from the El Raml district to the Victoria district.

Main article: Trams in Alexandria

Culture

Libraries

Main articles: Library of Alexandria and Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The Library of Alexandria was once the largest library in the world. It was likely founded in the 3rd century BC during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened in 2002 near the site of the old Library and hosts the Alexandria International Film Festival each year.

Museums

The Alexandria National Museum opened in 2003 in a restored Italian-style palace. It contains about 1,800 artifacts that tell the story of Alexandria and Egypt. The Graeco-Roman Museum reopened in 2023 after renovations. Other museums in the city include the Royal Jewelry Museum and the Alexandria Museum of Fine Arts.

Music

Alexandria’s music history blends ancient Egyptian sounds with modern innovation. Known as a center for musical study in antiquity, the city became a hub for early 20th-century African modernization. Composer Sayed Darwish revolutionized modern Egyptian music. The Alexandria Opera House, built in 1918 and renamed in 1962, remains a major cultural hub.

Theaters

The Alexandria Opera House hosts performances of classical music, Arabic music, ballet, and opera. Built from 1918 to 1921, it was inaugurated as the Teatro Mohamed Ali.

Literature

Alexandria has a long literary history, serving as both a birthplace and a muse for numerous influential writers. Notable writers include Theophilus I of Alexandria, Abdullah an-Nadeem, Tawfiq al-Hakim, Ibrahim Abdel Meguid, and Edward el-Kharrat. Foreign writers associated with Alexandria include Constantine P. Cavafy and Lawrence Durrell.

Cinema

Films set in Alexandria include historical epics such as Cleopatra and ancient-focused films like Agora, as well as modern Egyptian dramas such as Youssef Chahine's trilogy Alexandria... Why?, Alexandria Again and Forever, and Alexandria... New York.

Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival

The Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Alexandria. Founded in 1979, it focuses on the film industry of the Mediterranean area and aims to broaden film culture and strengthen relationships between filmmakers worldwide.

Holidays and festivals

Alexandria celebrates Islamic, Coptic Christian, and national holidays. Festivities include Eid holidays, Coptic Christmas, Mawlid al-Nabi, Revolution Day, Egyptian Armed Forces Day, and Sham El-Nessim. The city also marks July 26 as a national day for Alexandria Governorate.

Painting and sculpture

Alexandria is a major Mediterranean hub for classical and contemporary art. The Alexandria Museum of Fine Arts features over 1,381 works, including paintings and sculptures by Egyptian and international artists. Bibliotheca Alexandrina hosts a permanent collection of modern art, and the Graeco-Roman Museum displays ancient sculptures and artifacts.

Poetry

During the Hellenistic period, poets at the court of Ptolemy II Philadelphus were known as the Alexandrian Pleiad. In modern times, Constantine P. Cavafy used themes associated with Alexandria in his work.

Places of worship

Islam

See also: List of mosques in Alexandria

The most famous mosque in Alexandria is Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Bahary.

Christianity

Alexandria was once considered the third-most important city in Christianity, after Rome and Constantinople. The Church of Alexandria had jurisdiction over most of Africa until splits occurred after the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451.

Judaism

Alexandria's Jewish community declined rapidly following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. The most important synagogue in Alexandria is the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue on Nebi Daniel Street.

Sports

Football is the main sport in Alexandria, just like in the rest of Egypt and Africa. Alexandria Stadium is the oldest stadium in Egypt, built in 1929, and it can hold 20,000 people. It was used for the 2006 African Cup of Nations, which Egypt won. Other sports such as surfing, jet-skiing, and water polo are also enjoyed, though on a smaller scale. The city has several stadiums, including Borg El Arab Stadium, El Krom Stadium, and Harras El Hodoud Stadium.

Alexandria is also home to many sports clubs where people play tennis and squash, such as the Alexandria Sporting Club and Smouha Sporting Club. The city hosts the Cross Egypt Challenge, an international motorcycle rally that takes place on challenging tracks across Egypt.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Egypt

Alexandria has many friends around the world. It is twinned with cities such as Almaty in Kazakhstan, Baltimore in the United States, Bratislava in Slovakia, and many more. These partnerships help the cities share ideas and support each other.

Notable people

Alexandria has been home to many famous individuals throughout history. Some notable people from the city include Constantine P. Cavafy, a celebrated Greek poet, and Youssef Chahine, a well-known Egyptian filmmaker.

Other prominent figures from Alexandria are Omar Sharif, a beloved actor, and Gamal Abdel Nasser, who served as the President of Egypt. The city has also produced talented artists, such as actress Nagwa Fouad, and influential architects like Hassan Fathy.