New Cairo, Metropolitan settlement in Cairo Governorate, Egypt
This satellite city sits east of the Cairo Ring Road on flat desert land at around 271 m (889 ft) elevation. Development spreads across a wide area with gated residential neighborhoods, business districts, and university campuses linked by multi-lane roads.
The settlement emerged in 2000 when the New Urban Communities Authority merged three existing developments into a single administrative unit. By 2016, the built-up area had grown from around 67,000 to roughly 85,000 acres, aiming to relieve population pressure on the historic center.
The name reflects a deliberate effort to expand the capital, with modern housing compounds and shopping centers shaping daily routines. Families move between air-conditioned stores and wide streets designed for cars rather than pedestrians.
Several international universities, including the American University and the German University, offer degree programs for students across the metropolitan region. Visitors planning a trip should expect longer car journeys, since public transit options remain limited compared to the older parts of the capital.
The area contains the Petrified Forest Protected Area, where ancient fossilized wood from millions of years ago sits alongside glass office towers and technology parks. This contrast between geological heritage and modern infrastructure often goes unnoticed until visitors specifically seek out the rock formations.
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