The Nile · Cairo
Gezira Island
A leafy island in the Nile at the heart of Cairo, home to the Gezira and Zamalek districts and linked to both banks by bridges.
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The story
The island lies in the Nile in central Cairo, with the Gezira district on its southern part and the Zamalek district on the northern third. "Gezira" is simply the Egyptian Arabic word for island. It sits west of downtown and Tahrir Square and is connected to both banks by bridges including Qasr El Nil, 15 May, Al-Gala'a and 6th October. Under Khedive Ismail in the nineteenth century it was first called "Jardin des Plantes" for its collection of exotic plants shipped from around the world.
Good to know
- Zamalek occupies the northern third of the island and the Gezira district its southern part.
- Under Khedive Ismail the island was called "Jardin des Plantes", the Garden of Plants.
- The island is home to the Cairo Tower and the Cairo Opera House.