Travel Eye on Alexandria (Egypt)

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Overview:

The second largest city in Egypt , Alexandria , known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean",  has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern ; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km. from Cairo.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco - Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was along these shores that history took a tragic turn at the time of Cleopatra , Julius Caesar , Mark Antony , and Octavian.

From the 19th century Alexandria took a new role, as a focus for Egypt's commercial and maritime expansion. This Alexandria has been immortalized by writers such as E-M- Forster and Cavafy. Generations of immigrants from Greece, Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian culture.

Locality:

Alexandria lies north-west of the Nile delta and stretches along a narrow land strip between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariut (Mareotis). It is linked to Cairo by two major highways and a railroad line.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

It is one of the most notable summer resorts in the Middle East , for, in addition to its temperate winters, its beaches, with white sands and magnificent scenery, stretch for 140 km along the Mediterranean Sea , from Abu Qir , in the east to Al-Alamein and Sidi Abdul Rahman, in the west.

Being an ancient city, Alexandria has many ancient sites and attractions, and more are always being discovered, whether under the sea or under the ground.  Such attractions include:

The Citadel of Qait Buy

The Pillars of Pompeii are another of the attractions, these are remains of an ancient temple that has both Roman and Egyptian artifacts;

The Amphitheatre is another example of the wide cultural history that Alexandria has enjoyed over the centuries;

A more recent attraction is the palace of El-Montazah, it was one of the many palaces that belonged to the royal family in the more recent Egyptian history when Egypt was a kingdom. El-Montazah is now a public recreation area with great gardens and beaches.