Alexandria

Alexandria, Arabic Al-Iskandariyyah,  major city and urban muḥāfaẓah (governorate) in Egypt. Once among the greatest cities of the Mediterranean world and a centre of Hellenic scholarship and science, Alexandria was the capital of Egypt from its founding by Alexander the Great in 332 bce until its surrender to the Arab forces led by ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ in 642 ce. One of Egypt’s largest cities, Alexandria is also its principal seaport and a major industrial centre. The city lies on the Mediterranean Sea at the western edge of the Nile River delta, about 114 miles (183 km) northwest of Cairo in Lower Egypt. Area city, 116 square miles (300 square km). Pop. (2006) city, 4,110,015.

Aspects of the topic Alexandria are discussed in the following places at Britannica.

Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Alexandria - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

The city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great when he conquered ancient Egypt in 332 BC. For hundreds of years it was Egypt’s capital. Today it is the country’s main seaport. It lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea northwest of Cairo.

Alexandria - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

More than 2,000 years ago Alexandria was the capital and the greatest city of Egypt. Today, though it has been surpassed by Cairo in both size and importance, Alexandria is Egypt’s foremost seaport and its second largest city. Roads, trains, and airlines connect it with Cairo, 110 miles (175 kilometers) up the Nile Delta to the southeast.