Cairo vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Is Cairo Bigger Than Washington D.C.?

In terms of area, Cairo is 17.4x the size of Washington D.C.. Cairo spans 3,085 km² (1,191 mi²) while Washington D.C. covers 177 km² (68 mi²) — a difference of 2,908 km². You could fit Washington D.C. inside Cairo approximately 17 times.

About Cairo

Egypt's capital and the largest city in the Arab world. Known as "The City of a Thousand Minarets", Cairo covers 3,085 km² with a population of 10.1 million. The city was established in 969. Cairo is known for Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Cairo Metro.

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

About Washington D.C.

Capital of the United States. Nicknamed "D.C.", Washington D.C. has an area of 177 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. It was established in 1790. Visitors come for The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.

D.C. has more free museums than any other city in the US — all 19 Smithsonian museums charge no admission

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area covers 14,412 km², which is 2.2x larger than greater Cairo at 6,588 km². The Cairo metro area is also more populous, with 21.3 million people compared to 6.3 million.

Population Density

Cairo has a population density of 3,274 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Washington D.C. is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Cairo has a hot desert climate while Washington D.C. experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Cairo, it's 5:00 AM in Washington D.C. — a 7-hour time difference.