Alexandria (Egypt)

Alexandria is the 2nd largest city and an important economic centre in Egypt, extending 32 kilometers (20 miles) along the coast of Mediterranean Sea in country's north central part. Its low elevation on Nile delta makes it vulnerable to rising levels of sea. Alexandria is the largest seaport of Egypt, serving about 80% of its imports and exports. Alexandria is a major industrial center due to its natural gas and oil pipelines out of Suez. Alexandria is also a major tourist destination. Its total area is 2,679 km2 (1,034 ml2). In 2016 the city population was 4,984,390 people.

Alexandria was established by Alexander the Great around a small Ancient Egyptian town c.331 BC. It became a major center of Hellenistic civilization and for almost 1000 years remained capital of Hellenistic and Roman and Byzantine Egypt until AD 641 (the Muslim conquest of Egypt), when a new capital was established at Fustat (absorbed later into Cairo). Hellenistic Alexandria was famous for the Pharos (Lighthouse of Alexandria), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; the Necropolis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages; its Great Library (the biggest in the ancient world; today replaced by a modern one). Alexandria was the 2nd most powerful city of ancient world after Rome. 

From the late 18th century, the city of Alexandria became an important center of international shipping industry and one of the world's major trading centers, both because the lucrative trade in Egyptian cotton, and as it profited from easy overland connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Alexandria has 4 ports: the Western Port (the main port of the country handling about 60% of country’s imports and exports); Dekhela Port (located west of the Western Port); Eastern Port (a yachting harbor); Abu Qir Port (locared at the northern east of governorate: a commercial port for phosphates and general cargo).