How Big Is Cairo?

Egypt · Africa

Area

3,085 km²

1,191 mi²

Population

10.1M

Metro: 21.3M

Density

3,274/km²

Founded

969

Cairo Size Overview

Cairo covers an area of 3,085 km² (1,191 mi²) in Egypt, Africa. Capital and largest city of Egypt. The city is often called "The City of a Thousand Minarets". To put this in perspective, Cairo is about 1.2x the size of Luxembourg. In more relatable units, that's about 432,000 American football fields, 52 times the area of Manhattan, or 29 times the area of Paris.

Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt and the Cairo Governorate. It is home to more than 9.8 million people. It is also part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East. The Greater Cairo metropolitan area is one of the largest in the world by population with over 22 million people. Areas of what would become Cairo were inhabited from pre-dynastic and early-dynastic ancient Egypt c.

With a population of 10.1 million (21.3 million in the metropolitan area), Cairo has a population density of 3,274 people per km². The greater Cairo metropolitan area extends to 6,588 km².

Cairo has a history stretching back to 969. The city is renowned for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, and Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

Cairo has a hot desert climate, with summer temperatures averaging 29°C and winters around 14°C. The city's main public transit system is the Cairo Metro.

Did You Know?

  • Cairo is home to more than 9.8 million people and is part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa and the Arab world.
  • The Greater Cairo metropolitan area has over 22 million people, making it one of the largest in the world by population.
  • Areas of what would become Cairo were inhabited from pre-dynastic and early-dynastic ancient Egypt.

Cities Similar in Size to Cairo

Cairo covers 3,085 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Hanoi (3,359 km²), Karachi (3,527 km²), Lima (2,672 km²), Moscow (2,511 km²), or Cape Town (2,455 km²).

Frequently Asked Questions about Cairo

How big is Cairo in square miles?
Cairo covers 3,085 km², which is approximately 1,191 square miles. The metropolitan area extends to 6,588 km² (2,544 mi²).
What is the population of Cairo?
Cairo has a population of approximately 10.1 million people. The greater metropolitan area is home to 21.3 million.
What is the population density of Cairo?
Cairo has a population density of 3,274 people per km² (8,480 per mi²).
Can I compare Cairo with other cities on a map?
Yes! City Map Compare lets you compare Cairo with any of 50+ cities side by side on synchronized maps. Both maps maintain the same zoom level so you can see the real difference in size.