Europe Capitals Quiz
Think you know the capitals of Europe? Try this quick quiz before reading.
🇪🇬 Egypt
Capital: Cairo
Cairo – The City of a Thousand Minarets
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the center of the country’s largest urban region. The present city was founded by the Fatimids in 969 AD near earlier settlements along the Nile. Its historic districts contain mosques, churches, markets, museums, and architecture from several periods, while the nearby Giza Plateau contains the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Cairo remains Egypt’s official national capital, although many central government functions now operate from the New Administrative Capital east of the city.
📜 Timeline of Cairo
969 AD: The Fatimids founded al-Qahira, the city that developed into present-day Cairo.
1250 AD: The Mamluk Sultanate began, and Cairo developed into a major political, commercial, religious, and architectural center.
1798 AD: French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte occupied Cairo during the French campaign in Egypt.
2023: Egypt began transferring large numbers of government employees and ministries to the Government District in the New Administrative Capital.
July 2026: The State Strategic Command Headquarters, known as the Octagon, was formally inaugurated in the New Capital, adding another major national institution to the new government center.
Today: Cairo remains Egypt’s official capital, while national government functions are increasingly divided between Cairo and the New Administrative Capital.
📊 Quick Stats
Founded
969 AD
Language
Arabic
Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Geography
Northern Egypt, along the Nile River
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3 during DST)
In 2026, daylight saving time runs from April 24 until October 30.
Calling Code
+20
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Great Pyramids of Giza
Located beside Greater Cairo in Giza, the pyramid complex includes the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World.
Egyptian Museum
The historic museum in Tahrir Square contains a large collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities from different periods.
Al-Azhar Mosque
Founded in the 10th century, Al-Azhar Mosque became one of Cairo’s best-known religious and educational institutions.
Cairo vs New Capital: Official Capital and Government Functions
Cairo remains the official capital of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The development of the New Administrative Capital does not by itself change that legal status. Instead, Egypt has moved many practical government functions to the purpose-built city east of Cairo.
The New Capital’s Government District contains the Cabinet headquarters and ministry buildings, and thousands of civil servants now work there. Weekly Cabinet meetings have been held at the government headquarters in the New Capital during 2026, although the Cabinet also meets at other locations when required. Senior government meetings continued to take place in the New Capital during July.
On July 4, 2026, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi formally inaugurated the State Strategic Command Headquarters in the New Capital. The complex, commonly called the Octagon, serves as the central headquarters of the Armed Forces and includes command, communications, coordination, and crisis-management facilities. State authorities describe the wider New Capital as a location for major government and sovereign institutions.
The distinction is therefore between capital status and the location of government work. Cairo remains Egypt’s national capital, while the New Administrative Capital has become an active seat for ministries, Cabinet operations, state agencies, and other national institutions.
Cairo remains Egypt’s official capital and one of its main cultural, financial, educational, and transport centers. The transfer of government functions to the New Administrative Capital has created a separate administrative center without removing Cairo’s capital status.
📖 Sources & References
- 🇪🇬 Cairo Governorate – Cairo in Lines
- 🏛️ Presidency of Egypt – New Administrative Capital
- 🛡️ Presidency of Egypt – State Strategic Command Headquarters
- 🏢 State Information Service – Government Operations in the New Capital
- 🕒 Timeanddate – Cairo Daylight Saving Time 2026
References cover Cairo’s capital status, government activity in the New Administrative Capital, the Strategic Command Headquarters, and Egypt’s current time rules.
