Archived Pages from 20th Century!!
Alexandria, the shining pearl of the Mediterranean, and the beacon radiating its culture and heritage to the world at large
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The second largest city and the main port of Egypt, Alexandria was built by the greek architect Dinocrates (332-331 BC) on the site of an old village, Rhakotis, at the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalizing Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cutural, intellectual, political, and economic metropolis, the remains of which are still evident to this day.
It was the renowned capital of the Ptolemies, with numerous monuments. It was the site of the Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the Great Library. It was along these shores that history took a tragic turn at the time of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian.
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. 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.
Quick Reference
History Guide
Visitor Guide
Picture Gallery
Auditorium
Map of Eastern Districts
Map of Western Districts
Alexandrians on the Internet
Links to Related Sites
Internet and E-mail Access
Other Alexandrias Around the World
| Egypt | Cairo | References | City Net |
A graphics-enhanced version of this page is also available.
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Last updated November 9, 1996
If you have comments, corrections, or additions, please send us e-mail
Copyright © 1995, 1996 Alaa K. Ashmawy
All Rights Reserved
