Approximately half of Egypt's population lives in urban areas, the majority of them in the country's largest cities of Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza, but there are more than two hundred cities and towns with populations above fifteen thousand.
Because ninety percent of the country is uninhabitable desert, Egypt's cities and towns are along the Mediterranean shore, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, or along the River Nile, although a few towns are supported by scattered desert oases.
As Egypt's population has been steadily moving from rural villages to major urban centers for fifty years or more, many areas have been developed on sandy areas rather than on more substantial soil.
Historically, Egypt didn't have a strong urban population. Cities were often developed during the construction of pyramids or other large buildings. Its capital city moved from site to site, depending on the Pharaoh. Egypt didn't develop large urban areas until the founding of Alexandria after Alexander's invasion of Egypt in 333 BC. A more recent push toward urbanization developed as people began moving from rural villages into city centers.
Administratively, Egypt is divided into twenty-seven governorates, each with a capital and at least one city. Its governorates are themselves arranged into regions that contain the towns and villages. The village is the smallest unit in rural areas and the equivalent of a district in an urban area. Unlike some countries, governor and municipal heads are appointed rather than elected.
Egypt's largest cities are Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Shubra El Kheima, Port Said, Suez, El Mahalla El Kubra, Luxor, Mansoura, and Tanta, which have populations that range from around five-hundred-thousand to close to seven million, Cairo being the 15th-largest city in the world.
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Recommended Resources
British International School, Cairo
BISC is a private British school in 6th of October City, Egypt. Established in 1982, the school caters to the children of expatriate British and Anglo-Egyptian communities, as well as those from elsewhere in the Commonwealth, although children of English-speaking Egyptians are also among the student population. Its admissions policies, its academic calendar, and its academic programs are set forth.
http://www.bisc.edu.eg/
International School of Choueifat - Cairo
ISC is a collection of international private schools operated by the SABIS school system in various Middle East countries. ISC-Cairo was founded in 1995, and located in New Maadi, south of Cairo, Egypt. Its history, achievements, academic goals, and approach to education are published, along with testimonials from former students and parents. Its admissions procedures and process are defined, and directions are posted to the site.
https://isccairo.sabis.net/
Port Said Container & Cargo Handling Company
A subsidiary of Holding Company for Land & Maritime Transport, PSCCHC is an international port that serves markets in northern and southern Europe, the Far East, and the Mediterranean. Information on shipping goods through the port is presented, along with a discussion of the company’s economic impact, its office locations and hours, contacts, and governance rules.
http://www.pscchc.com/
Headquartered in Suez, Egypt, SSO was established in 2004, initially providing oil companies with safety garments and footwear, but now serving all sectors and industries, locally and in international markets. Its history and mission are set forth, along with an overview of its product lines. Quotes may be requested online. Its factories are highlighted, and career opportunities are posted to the site.
http://www.ssoegypt.com/
