Egypt, Alexandria

Egypt's second largest city, Alexandria, is known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean". Alexandria has a unique atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. Alexandria's general ambience and rich cultural heritage greatly distance it from the rest of Egypt although it is actually only about 140 miles (225 km) from Cairo.

Alexandria founded in 331 BC, gets its name from the city's founder, Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BC). Alexandria became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt, with its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by the legendary lighthouse of Alexandria that was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World at Pharos, the ruins of which are being excavated now.

Alexandria was also at times the setting for the stormy relationship between Roman (Self proclaimed Emperor) Mark Antony and the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Alexandria was important as the center of learning in the ancient world. Slowly ancient Alexandria declined in importance and when Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France landed here in 1798, he found just a sparsely populated fishing village.

Today you can visit "Pompey's pillar", an 82ft (25m) tall red Aswan granite column, which, is an independent monument erected in 293 AD to commemorate the Roman Emperor Diocletian's siege of the city. "Pompey Pillar" is the most well-known ancient monument still standing in Alexandria. It is located on Alexandria's ancient acropolis — a modest hill located adjacent to the city's Arab cemetery.

Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa. This area along the coast about 15 miles (24km) east of Alexandria's old district along the Corniche where many of the modern hotels of Alexandria are located, also the location of magnificent Montaza Palace, previously one of the palaces of the former Egyptian royal family. It was built in 1892 by Abbas Hilmi Pasha, the last khedive of Egypt.

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