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Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. The city has a population estimated at 10,879,520 inhabitants (2026 estimate). Founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty, Cairo developed near the ancient settlements of Memphis and Fustat and became one of the most important cities in the Islamic world. Its strategic location along the Nile River contributed to its growth as a major trade and cultural hub.
Today, Cairo is a sprawling metropolis known for its historic heritage and modern urban life. Notable landmarks include the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and the Cairo Citadel. Cairo has also been the birthplace of prominent figures such as Yasser Arafat, diplomat Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Cairo in Egypt
31.2° E
Cairo Population Evolution
The population of Cairo in 2026 is estimated to 10,879,520 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1917 | 790,939 | |
| 1947 | 2,090,654 | +164.3% |
| 1966 | 4,219,853 | +101.8% |
| 1996 | 6,800,992 | +61.2% |
| 2017 | 9,539,673 | +40.3% |
Interactive Map of Cairo
What to see in Cairo
Egyptian Museum
Tahrir Square
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Al-Azhar Mosque
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Al-Fath Mosque
Sulayman Pasha Mosque
Cairo Citadel
fortificationGiza pyramid complex
Three GreatsFamous People Born in Cairo
Dorothy Hodgkin
physicistBoutros Boutros-Ghali
writerYasser Arafat
politicianAbdel Fattah el-Sisi
presidentSister Cities of Cairo
Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.
This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 21,893,095 |
| Istanbul | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 15,655,924 |
| Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Japan | 14,699,210 |
| Seoul | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 9,668,465 |
| Baghdad | 🇮🇶 Iraq | 8,126,755 |
| Khartoum | 🇸🇩 Sudan | 5,345,000 |
| Amman | 🇯🇴 Jordan | 4,007,526 |
| Sanaa | 🇾🇪 Yemen | 2,957,000 |
| Tashkent | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 2,956,384 |
| Damascus | 🇸🇾 Syria | 2,685,360 |
| Abu Dhabi | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | 1,570,000 |
| Muscat | 🇴🇲 Oman | 1,421,409 |
| Tripoli | 🇱🇾 Libya | 1,293,016 |
| Tbilisi | 🇬🇪 Georgia | 1,118,035 |
| Jerusalem | 🇮🇱 Israel | 936,425 |
| Stuttgart | 🇩🇪 Germany | 633,484 |
| Palermo | 🇮🇹 Italy | 607,220 |
| Rabat | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 572,717 |
| Kairouan | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | 186,653 |
Learn more about Cairo
Other facts about Cairo
Sources & References
- Wikidata
- Egypt CAPMAS (accessed on 13 April 2026)