Beijing vs Cairo - City Size Comparison

Is Beijing Bigger Than Cairo?

Yes — Beijing is 5.3x larger than Cairo by area. Beijing spans 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) while Cairo covers 3,085 km² (1,191 mi²) — a difference of 13,326 km². You could fit Cairo inside Beijing approximately 5 times.

About Beijing

China's capital and political center. Known as "The Northern Capital", Beijing covers 16,411 km² with a population of 21.5 million. The city was founded around 1045 BC. Beijing is known for The Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Beijing Subway.

Beijing's administrative area of 16,411 km² makes it larger than many small countries

About Cairo

Egypt's capital and the largest city in the Arab world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets", Cairo has an area of 3,085 km² and is home to 10.1 million people. It was established in 969. Visitors come for Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Cairo Metro.

Cairo is the only major city in the world where you can see ancient pyramids from the city center

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Beijing metropolitan area covers 16,411 km², which is 2.5x larger than greater Cairo at 6,588 km². The Beijing metro area is also more populous, with 21.5 million people compared to 21.3 million.

Population Density

Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Cairo, with 3,274 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Cairo is noticeably denser, packing 2.5 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Beijing has a humid continental climate while Cairo experiences hot desert conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Cairo stays around 14°C while Beijing drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Beijing, it's 6:00 AM in Cairo — a 6-hour time difference.