Greater Cairo


The Greater Cairo is a metropolitan area centered around Cairo, Egypt. It is the most populous metropolitan area in Egypt. It comprises the entirety of the Cairo Governorate, the cities of Imbaba and Giza in the Giza Governorate, and the city Shubra El Kheima in Qalyubia Governorate. Its definition can be expanded to include peri-urban areas and a number of new planned towns founded in the desert areas east and west of Cairo.
In addition to being the nexus of the regional entertainment industry, including films, television, and recorded music, Greater Cairo is also an important center of international trade, education, media, business, tourism, technology, and sports. The Greater Cairo Region is also officially defined as an economic region consisting of the Cairo, Giza, and Qalyubia Governorates. Within Greater Cairo lies the largest metropolitan area in Egypt, the largest urban area in Africa, the Middle East, and the Arab world, and the 6th largest metropolitan area in the world.
In its larger definition, the area includes all cities in the Cairo Governorate as well as the main cities of the Giza Governorate and Shubra El Kheima and Obour in the Qalyubia Governorate. According to an estimate based on United Nations projections, the area had a population of 22,183,000 in 2023. In 2012, when the area's population was estimated at 20.5 million, the population density within Cairo Governorate was estimated at 45,000 per square kilometer.

Economy

In 2021, Greater Cairo had GDP of around 3 trillion EGP or half of total Egypt GDP.
GovernorateNominal GDP
Nominal GDP
Cairo1,876120
Giza77049
Qalyubiyya33922
Greater Cairo2,985191

Climate

The Greater Cairo Area and its surrounding region is classified as hot desert climate in Köppen-Geiger classification, as all of Egypt. Cairo and its surrounding region have very similar day to day temperatures; however, the less populated parts at the east and the west do not experience the urban heat island effect, which makes them more prone to have soft hail.

Urban issues

60% of all informal houses in Egypt are located in the Greater Cairo area.

Main cities

; Center and south
  • Cairo
; West
  • Giza
; North
; North
; South
; West
; East
; North