The area of what is present-day Cairo was originally settled in the Paleolithic Period and developed into an important trading community in the Neolithic. But it was during the Dynastic Period of Egypt that the area gained importance. At that time, Menes united all of Egypt and created his capital in Memphis, just south of present day Cairo.

In 525 B.C. the Persians conquered Egypt and moved the capital further north. They built a fort which still stands in Coptic Cairo today. In 332 B.C. Alexander captured the fort, and the area lost its importance until the Roman conquest. At that time the fort, known as Babylon, became a stronghold for protecting Roman trade routes. Throughout Roman times, Christianity grew, eventually splitting to create the Coptic Church of Egypt. Then, in A.D. 640, Babylon was captured by the Islamic Arabs, and soon all of Egypt was under Muslim rule.

The first mosque was soon built in what became known as Fustat, or the City of Tents. It was proclaimed the capital of Egypt, and eventually transformed into a more modern city. From A.D. 750 to 973, the area changed hands among Arab tribes and the capital was moved to various places within the same area. Finally, in A.D. 973, the city that had built around Fustat was given the name al-Qahira, or Cairo.

In 1168, Old Cairo (Fustat) was set ablaze to keep the capital from falling into the hands of crusaders. However, in 1253 the Mongols invaded and took over the area. The area continued to flourish, however, and in 1315 it was estimated to be the largest city in the world until the Black Death came to Cairo in 1348.

In 1517 the city was captured by the Ottomans, who retained control for quite a while. Then in 1798 the city was occupied by Napoleon. By this time, the limestone casings had mostly been removed from the Great Pyramids of Giza (this occurred in 1356 by order of the Bahri Sultan) and Napoleon was reputed to have used the pyramids as target practice, leaving them in the condition in which they are found today.

Not long after the occupation, in 1801, the British took over Cairo. In 1882 the city was occupied by British troops, and the entire country was deemed a British protectorate. From the early 1900s to present day, Cairo has played an important part in politics. Many peace treaties have been signed within the city boundaries, and there is little doubt that Cairo will continue to be an important city in years to come.