Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt, serving as the seat of government for the Cairo Governorate. It is a major urban center with a population exceeding 9.8 million people. The city is situated within the Greater Cairo metropolitan area, which is one of the world's largest urban agglomerations by population, housing over 22 million residents across Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East.
The region has been inhabited since pre-dynastic and early-dynastic ancient Egypt, dating back approximately 6,000 years. Significant historical landmarks are located within or near the modern city limits, including the Giza pyramid complex and the ancient cities of Memphis and Heliopolis.