It is one of the 27 governorates (muḥāfazāt) of Egypt and also the capital of the country.
Name meaning: "The Conqueror" or "The Victorious" (referring to the planet Mars or the victory of the founders).
History: Founded in 969 AD by the Fatimids as a new royal city next to the older Fustat.
Later expanded under Saladin and the Mamluks, among others.
Key features: Capital of Egypt and cultural/religious center (Al-Azhar University and Mosque, the oldest university in the world).
Mixture of old Islamic quarters, pyramids nearby (Giza), the Nile, modern districts, and heavy traffic. Egypt's economic heart: trade, industry, tourism, film, and music.
In short: Al Qahirah = Cairo, the vibrant, historic, and chaotic capital of Egypt, where 1,000+ years of Islamic history blend with modern megacity challenges.
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