ALEXANDRIA, a hub for culture, art and tourism, was recently declared the Capital of Arab Tourism. This Egyptian coastal city was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. The jurists in the Capital of Arab Tourism competition unanimously agreed on Alexandria, because of its wonderful heritage, history and sprawling coastal landscapes. Alexander the Great must have chosen Alexandria's location, because of these wonderful landscapes and the beautiful climate. Monuments unearthed in the city over the past two centuries confirm that Alexandria must have been a very popular summer retreat, even in the Roman era. According to archaeologists, the city's eastern side once teemed with noblemen, while more humble folk lived up west. The city fell into decay, after Islam arrived in Egypt. Nor did it witness better days under the Turkish occupation of Egypt and other Arab countries. The dying city was eventually resuscitated by Mohamed Ali Pasha, who initiated major development projects there in 1820. Alexandria became a busy trade seaport when Mohamed Ali ordered the construction of a naval dockyard capable of catering for large vessels. In 1890, Alexandria began to attract a lot of holidaymakers after the newly established local municipality started upgrading services and facilities for visitors who wanted to relax on the city's sprawling coast. In 1902, cafeterias and public toilets sprang up. It was in the same year that trams began to trundle across the city. The elite's decades-long domination of Alexandria's coastline came to an abrupt end with the Revolution in 1952. Filled with hatred for the monarchy and the bourgeoisie, middle-and lowerclass citizens begin to mingle with the wealthy in Alex. The city has inspired many Egyptian and foreign writers including Egypt's Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz. It also used to be one of Egypt's major summer resorts. The growing number of newcomers forced the rich holidaymakers to retreat into certain upmarket areas of the city. About two decades ago, many of the nation's elite moved to other parts of the North Coast to escape from the overcrowding. However, Alexandria has recently been elegantly restored, coaxing its traditional visitors to come back again. In a press statement he recently gave to mark Alexandria's winning this prestigious Arab tourist competition, Amr Elezabi, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority (ETA), said that festivities to celebrate this will last all year. He proudly referred to the jewels of this North Coast city, including its theatres, Opera House and of course the Alexandria Library. Elezabi explained that the ETA is also planning two international and regional conferences, as well as the Spring Festival, which used to take place in Cairo. Alexandria, known as the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea, is accessible by air, train and buses. It is around two hours' drive from Cairo.
