The Nile currently in Africa is one of 5 rivers that has flowed north out of Sudan since ancient times. Many an era has seen the source of the waters become obscured, or the pathway it takes totally obstructed or changed, creating a completely new river system. People throughout ancient times as well were perpetually trying to find the source of the Nile and its life giving qualities, but even the Greeks and Romans were unable to penetrate that far to discover the course of the flowing water.

It had mystique, it was a seemingly never ending flow of water that expanded beyond the horizon. It solely kept thousands of years of the Egyptian civilizations alive and strong, being considered one of the greatest empires known to man. And, still, to this day explorers are constantly desiring to find more and more about the source of the river itself. Documentaries and films by explorers and companies are periodically filmed still, all in the quest to discover every last bit of knowledge about this ancient giver of life, known as the Nile river. Maybe someday, we will know it all. But, that’s also what humanity has been saying about this rivers mysteries since the dawn of time.

Located just before the Nile delta, upon the banks of the Nile itself, Cairo spreads its urban glory. It is divided into many small Governorate ares, ruled by different political and economic classes. The famed Cairo university known world wide, resides in the Giza Governorate area while Cairo is home to the Ain Shams university. East of the river lies the oldest part of the city, and when referring to Cairo itself, many people are often speaking of Greater Cairo, the multi-sectioned set of small governments. The actual urban population if the are itself reaches up to 17 million or so.

Climate wise, the vicinity of the city and surrounding areas is a cross between a Mediterranean styled climate, and that of a desert climate. Making sense, due to its sea side influence on the water, and its submersion into the desert lands upon the northern section of the great Nile River. Wind storms are more that frequent, and clouds of dust from the surrounding Sahara desert can be seen blowing their way through the city at varying times. The effects of the Valley on the city give it its unique crossbreed of weather systems and climates.

Along with Giza, Cairo is the regions center for medical care and holds the most advanced and best facilities for treating ones health needs. Minus a few practices, its superiority is held as the top provider region wide.

The canal existed in one form or another for many millennia prior to its modern construction. It was historically known, at about 1300 BC, a west to east canal was built to connect the Nile, with the eastern Sea. It was built by Ramses the Second, or the Pharaoh directly post or prior to him, history is unsure at that point. The 1800s had some construction started by the French, but was quashed as Bedouin forces were sent to cause chaos with the work forces, all at the Behest of the British government, whom at the time were at the top of the Naval power chain in the world. It was remarked that the play was easily seen as a power grab, since they hadn’t cared about the forced labor on their own rail system in Egypt a few years prior. Work temporarily halted as shares in the companies involved dropped.

The french maintained a prime hold on the stock of the canal when it opened in 1869. after more than double had been paid for its construction. But, it was worth it to all the countries that used it, for it made the crossing of the world much quicker and direct. The British were also now able to go deeper into Africa and expand their empire further than it had previously been able to. Hence, the British had a constant post of support personnel and military at the site was listed as being Protected and run by Britain after the Constantinople convention in 1888.

There existed many periods of distress in the area and fights over who really owned it through what treaty. 1956 saw the return of the canal operation to Egyptian authority, and today the canal still operates with as much importance as it did form its foundation in ancient times.