American University in Cairo

American University in Cairo at Cairo, Egypt; English language; founded 1919. It has faculties of anthropology, computer science, economics and political science, engineering, English and comparative literature, management, mass communication, psychology, science, and sociology. There is a large adult and continuing education program that offers career training in Arabic-English and Arabic-French translation, as well as business and computer courses. There are also language institutes in Arabic and English and centers for Arabic studies, social research, and desert development.

Cairo (Al-Qahirah) Capital of Egypt and port on the River Nile. The largest city in Africa, Cairo was founded in ad 969 by the Fatimid dynasty and subsequently fortified by Saladin. Medieval Cairo became capital of the Mamluk empire, but declined under Turkish rule. During the 20th century it grew dramatically in population and area. Nearby are world-famous archaeological sites, the sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza; museums include the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and Museum of Islamic Art. Old Cairo is a world heritage site containing over 400 mosques and other fine examples of Islamic art and architecture. Its five universities include the world's oldest, housed in the mosque of Al Azhar (972) and the centre of Shi'ite Koranic study. Industries: tourism, textiles, leather, iron and steel, sugar refining. Pop. (2002 est.) 7,764,700. See also Egyptian architecture