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Alexandria
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In 332 B.C. Alexander the Great was triumphantly crowned king of Egypt and
founded present - day Alexandria. For a long time Alexandria was the most
important port in the Hellenic Empire . Until it was burnt down during the
siege of Caesar, the Library of Alexandria, then rich with millions of
manuscripts, attracted eminent intellectuals. This was the place where
Cleopatra was crowned Queen and where she lived with Anthony until their tragic
death. In 619 this splendid city was conquered by the Persians after which it
experienced a long period of decline. The fort of Qaitbey, dating back to the
XV century, was built on the spot where one of the wonders of the ancient
world, the lighthouse of the island of Pharos, once stood. This amazing
lighthouse, built from white sandstone in 280 B.C., measuring 140 meters in
height, was then the tallest building in the world; it was destroyed by an
earthquake in 1307. Today the city's beaches are well known for their seafront
restaurants and night spots, as well as for their sunny climate, which is
cooled by a constant breeze.
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