Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, with a population of approximately 5 million. The city is located 200 km north of Cairo, and stretches 20 km along the Mediterranean Sea in a narrow strip of a few kilometers.

The harbor is the most important in Egypt, where amongst other things, the export of crude oil and cotton take place. The presence of natural gas in the surrounding area, and the making of an oil pipeline from Suez have made the city an important industrial centre. Besides a refinery and the petrochemical industry, the city houses iron and steel mills, car factories, and a textile industry.

Nowadays, the glorious past of the city of Alexandria is hard to spot. However, a newly-opened library which covers all sciences has re-established the old reputation of the city as the stronghold of wisdom.

Because of a very pleasant climate, and wonderful beaches and hotels, up to 2 million Egyptians choose to spend their summer in the city.

If you are interested in ancient sights, Alexandria has them too. The city used to be the capital of the Ptolemy Pharaohs, and therefore holds a number of ancient Greek and Roman sites.
Pompeii's Pillar, so named in the middle ages, is a granite pillar over 25 meters high, and built amidst the ruins of the Serapuim in 297 A.D., to honor the Emperor Diocletian.