Which city is known as the Mother of the World

asks marmalade

A. Egypt in general was known as the Mother of the World (or Umm Dunya) by medieval Arabs, and is still recognised by this term today -�although it is not in general use. As Cairo is synonymous with Egypt,�the city�is sometimes referred to by this term too.

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Q. What is Cairo like to visit

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Q. Do I need a visa to visit Cairo

A. Yes, but you should be able to obtain one in Cairo as you enter the country (if you are a citizen of any EU country, except Germany, and have�a passport that is valid for six months or more at the time of your visit). However, some airlines will not take you without a full visa - so make sure you check with your airline before you fly. A tourist visa costs �15 and is valid for six months; it�will allow you to stay in Egypt for a maximum of three months.

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Please note that visitors from all countries except Canada, the EU and the USA must register with the police within a week of arrival in Egypt, although your hotel will usually undertake this service for you.

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Q. When is the best time to visit

A. The best time to visit is between October and May for the most comfortable heat. But try to avoid visiting over Christmas and during the Easter school holidays, as all the sights are hugely overpriced then and very overcrowded.

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Also try to avoid visiting during the holy month of Ramadan, as some tourist sights will only be open for part of the day and many restaurants are closed until after sundown.�In 2001, Ramadan runs from 16 November until 14 December.

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Q. What sights would you recommend seeing

A. There are too many to list here in great detail, but if you are visiting Cairo you should try not to miss out on the following:

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Pyramids at Giza: Any trip to Cairo would be lacking without a trip out to Giza to see three of the world's most famous pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) is the oldest in Egypt and stood at 146.5m (480.6ft) high when it was completed in 2600 BC. Southwest of Cheops is the Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre) and, at 62m (203ft), the smallest of the three pyramids, the Pyramid of Mycerinus (Menkaure). If you plan to go inside the pyramids, arrive early -�before 9am if you can -�as entry is limited to 150 people per day to limit damage to the structures.

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Sphinx: Located near the three pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx is another popular landmark and is carved out of one solid piece of limestone. This�is exactly the same in age and appearance as the stones used to build the largest of the three pyramids, although it is not known when the Sphinx was actually carved. The Sphinx is known as the Abu al Hol - Father of Terror - in Arabic.

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The Egyptian Museum (in Midan Tahrir, also known as Liberation Square and the focal point of the whole city): Home to 100,000+ relics, this�contains the largest collection of local and international Byzantine and Pharonic art and sculpture in the world. Highlights include the Tutankhamun Galleries; the Royal Mummy Room (sleeping place of the bodies of 11 mummified kings and queens); the statue of Chephren (Khafre), builder of the second pyramid at Giza, in Room 42; and the statue of Rahotep and Nofret.

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Cairo Tower: (also known as Borg al-Qahira): The viewing platform atop the tower (it stands at 187m) offers the best panoramic views of the city and is well worth a visit. It also has a revolving restaurant on the 14th floor.

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Citadel (known as Al-Qalaa): The site of the Mosque of Mohammed Ali is one of the most visited and stunning buildings in the city.

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Khan-el-Khalili Souk (or bazaar): Set in a labyrinth of narrow and dark winding streets, this is an authentic Arab souk and a great place to haggle (it is compulsory!) for leather goods, brassware and finely tailored clothes - plus your usual tourist fare of stuffed camels, plastic pyramids etc. When you first enter the souk you may well be freaked out by the number of people and the amount of attention you attract as a non-Egyptian, especially if you are a woman. But try not to be intimidated; it is safe, and you will usually only be hassled to buy things. Refusing to buy goods will not cause offence, so try not to be coerced into it. Hustlers and touts can be very tiresome in Cairo, but it is very difficult to avoid them unfortunately.

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Coptic Cairo: This area in the oldest part of the city (once known as Babylon) is home to the Coptic Christian Community, which predated the arrival of Islam in Egypt. Its main features today include the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church (known as Al-Muallaqa) and St Sergius church.

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Blue Mosque (Mosque of Aqsunqur): One of the most picturesque in the city, and� named after its blue marble exterior walls and the indigo and turquoise tiling on its gibla wall.

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Dahshur: Twelve miles from central Cairo, this patch of desert is home to four fully intact pyramids (originally the site of 11 pyramids, with some ruins remaining on site) that date back to the 4th dynasty. The most famous�are the Bent and Red pyramids, both of which were built by Sneferu, the father of Cheops and founder of the 4th dynasty. The Red pyramid is the oldest pyramid in the world.

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Q. Is it safe to visit Cairo

A. Since the deaths of many tourists in 1977 (nine German tourists were shot dead in September that year; in November, 57 tourists�died at�Luxor), there have been no further deaths - although some people still consider it to be a place of risk for Western tourists. Since the terrorists attacks in the US on 11�September, tourist numbers have fallen. But the Foreign Office maintains that it is currently a safe place to visit.

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by Karen Anderson