Cairo is located on the banks and islands of the Nile River in the north of Egypt.

West of Giza, in the desert,  are three large pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Approximately 18 km to the south of modern Cairo is the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis and adjoining necropolis of Saqqara.

These cities were Cairo's ancient predecessors, when Cairo was still in this approximate geographical location.