The population of the Cairo metropolitan area has increased from less
than 6 million in 1965 when the first picture was taken, to more than 10 million in 1998 (United Nations Population Division, World Urbanization
Prospects, the 1999 revision). Population densities within the city are
some of the highest in the world and the urban area has doubled to more
than 400 square km during that period. Extraordinary rates of population
growth are expected to continue, with a predicted population of around
14 million by 2015.