Zamalek

: "For the football team, see Zamalek (football team). "

Zamalek, ( _ar. الزمالك) also called El-Gezira(The Island) is a district of Cairo encompassing an island on the Nile River. It is connected with the river banks through three bridges on the east and west side of the island. It has witnessed many phases of growth affected by many economical and political currents which led to a the crowding of the island and great reductions in its green areas. Zamalek along with Maadi and some parts of Mohandessin, Heliopolis and Garden City are considered Egypt's top class residential areas [cite web |url=http://www.e-dar.com/html/Zamalekhistory.html |title=Zamalek Today |accessdate=2008-03-05] .

History

Under Khedive Ismail the Island was called "Jardin de plantes" (garden of plants), because of it's great collection of exotic plants shipped from all over the world.De la Chevalerie designed the island's landscaping and nurseries.On the east shore a kiosk was built for attending the island and supervising its development. The kiosk was updated later to a U-shaped summer mansion called the gezira palace, which today is the Marriot Hotel. It was designed by Julius Franz Pasha and decorated by Karl Von Diebitsch. The palace was constructed in 1869 and used for guests attending the opening of the suez canal. Emperor Franz Josef of Austria and Eugénie, Empress of the French were one of the noble guest of the palace. Other palaces were also built like the prince Sa'id Toussoun pallace, which is now a branch of the council of ministers and the prince Amr Ibrahim palace, which is now the Ceramic Museum. [cite web|url=http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/zamalek.htm|author=Jimmy Dunn|title=Zamalek|accessdate=2008-08-08] In 1882 the gezira sporting club was built in the southern region of the island. [cite web|url=http://www.egy.com/landmarks/96-02-10.shtml|title=GEZIRA SPORTING CLUB MILESTONES|date=1996-02-17|accessdate=2008-08-08|author=Samir Raafat] Later a fish garden known as the "Grotto Garden" was introduced by Captain Stanley Flower. The garden housed a rare collection of African fish. In 1960 the cairo tower was built near the gezira club and is considered as one of cairos landmarks. [cite web|url=http://www.egy.com/landmarks/97-10-16.shtml|title=THE CAIRO TOWER|date=1997-08-16|accessdate=2008-08-08|author=Samir Raafat] Finaly in 1988 the cairo opera house was built near the cairo tower signifying one of the best art venues in the middle east. [cite web|url=http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=10645_0_1_0_M|title=EGYPT HOSTS LONDON’S ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA|date=2007-02-01|accessdate=2008-08-08]

Areas and Locations

The north part of Zamalek is a residential area, while the southern part of Zamalek is where the greenery is most preserved because of the presence of three sporting clubs found there [cite web |url=http://www.e-dar.com/html/ZamalekWhere.html |title=Zamalek |accessdate=2008-03-05] .The central part, although very small, is mostly commercial. The Marriott hotel lies on the east shore of the island. The banks of the Zamalek Island cater to many tourists, by way of ships which traverse the Nile. Zamalek features many waterfront casinos and restaurants. There are also multiple clubs like Gezira sporting club, Ahly sporting club and Cairo sporting club.cite web |url=http://www.e-dar.com/html/Zamalekhistory.html |title=Zamalek Today |accessdate=2008-03-05]

Importance of Zamalek

Zamalek is known for having many embassies and ambassadors' residences as well as the multinational firms' offices. It houses many important landmarks of Egypt, such as:
* Cairo Tower, the longest concrete building in Egypt.
* Gezira Sporting Club, the oldest club in Egypt.
* Opera House, Egypt's only Opera House

References