Ten fun facts about Cairo

Fact 1
The city of Cairo had a population somewhere around half a million, which made it the largest city west of China.

Fact 2
Between 1348 and 1517, the Black Death struck the city, killing approximately 200,000.

Fact 3
Cairo is sometimes called the 'city of a thousand minarets' because of some of its Islamic architecture.

Fact 4
In 2013, the first time in decades, Cairo received a form of snow called graupel.

Fact 5
The city was ranked the world's 'most 24 hour city' in 2011, based on its online activity at night versus during the day.

Fact 6
The government tried to pass a law forcing businesses to close at midnight to save energy in 2012, but it was postponed after much criticism.

Fact 7
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities has hundreds of thousands of ancient Egyptian antiques, including the tomb of the famous Tutankhamun.

Fact 8
It is estimated approximately 10,000 to 25,000 people in Cairo die a year because of the air-pollution.

Fact 9
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the oldest mosques in its original form, built in 876-879 AD. It is also one of the largest mosques in Cairo.

Fact 10
The official name of Cairo translates out to 'the vanquisher' or 'the conqueror', but it is also called 'umm al-Dunya', which means 'the mother of the world'.

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