Luxor is the most well known recognized City in Upper (Southern) Egypt and the capital of Luxor Governorate, known famously for its oldest and most Ancient Egyptian sites. Originally called ‘Thebes’ in ancient Egypt, Luxor is often known also as the ‘World’s greatest open-air Museum’. The ruins of the early Temples of Karnak and Luxor stand within the modern city on the East Bank and life goes on unchanged for centuries amongst the local inhabitants. Luxor City lies between the East and West bank of the River Nile and is crossed daily by locals and tourists alike with Felucca boats and Ferries alike. Many monuments, tombs, and temples are located on the West Bank which includes the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens attracting millions of tourists worldwide arriving annually to partake in this famous pilgrimage in Egyptian ancient civilization.
It is said that Luxor hosts more than one quarter of all the antiquities of the world. This was why perhaps the Arabs, when they came to Egypt during the 7th century named the city Luxor, or the city with numerous palaces and historical sites.
Ancient Thebes, or today Luxor was established during the 26th century BC, during the ruling period of the 4th dynasty. At this point of time, it was used as a burial area. Afterwards, when Ahmose, the famous Egyptian king and army leader, defeated Hyksos and expelled them out of Egypt, the city became the capital of Egypt. It remained the capital for hundreds of years till the 4th century BC.
Luxor has a surface area of around 400 square kilometers and it has a population of around half a million people. Many of these people work in agriculture, trading, and touristic activities as the city welcomes numerous tourists who visit Egypt.
With many nicknames like the city of 1000 gates and the city of the sun. Luxor is located in the Southern section of the Nile Valley. The city is mainly divided, just like in Pharaonic times, into the West and East banks of the Nile.
Luxor is located around 700 kilometers to the South of Cairo, 220 kilometers to the North of Aswan, and 280 kilometers to the South West of Hurghada. The city has Aswan to the South, Qena Governorate to the North, Red Sea Governorate and the Eastern Desert to the East, and the New Valley Governorate and the Western Desert to the West.
The highlights of Luxor include the Karnak Temple, the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Valley of the Queen. This is in addition to many various ancient sites and some wonderful museums including the Luxor National Museum and the MummificationMuseum.
