Alexandria Governorate (Egyptian Arabic:محافظة اسكندريه) is one of thegovernorates of Egypt. The city ofAlexandria was historically the capital of Egypt until the foundation ofFustat, which was later absorbed into Cairo. Today the Alexandria governorate is considered second in importance after theCairo Governorate. It is located in the northern part of the country, directly on theMediterranean Sea, making it one of the most important harbours in Egypt.
Along withCairo,Port Said andSuez, Alexandria is one of four governorates in the country that are also municipalities.[citation needed] The governorate capital is the city ofAlexandria, thesecond largest city in Egypt. Alexandria governorate lies along theMediterranean coast and stretch for about 70 km northwest of theNile Delta. The governorate is bounded by theMediterranean Sea in the north, El Behera governorate in the south and the east andMatrouh governorate in the west. The total area size of Alexandria governorate is almost 2818 km2. It has the most important harbour inEgypt and it is the second largest urban governorate in the country with population more than four and half million (4,799,740 in March 2015) and population density of 1700 square kilometres according to theCentral Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). Alexandria has a unique geographical location and a mild climate. It is also considered an industrial governorate where 40% of Egyptian industries are concentrated, especially chemicals, food, spinning and weaving as well as petrol industries and fertilizers.
The municipal divisions are further grouped into 10districts (singular:حىḥay, plural:أحياءaḥya') which fall directly under the administration of the Alexandria Governorate, while the New Borg El Arab City falls under the jurisdiction of the New Urban Communities Authority[3].
Alexandria is known with its diverse history as it was occupied by several cultures throughout the years. Several monuments nowadays shape Alexandria's historic sites.
