Most buildings in the modern sections of Cairo were built in the 1900's. Their design is in the style of present-day American and European architecture. The newer areas of Cairo have many gardens, parks, public squares, and wide boulevards, which make these areas less crowded and more orderly than the older sections. Cairo, Egypt Cairo's older areas offer a sharp contrast with the modern sections. In many of the buildings of the old sections, open-front shops occupy the ground floor.
Small apartments take up the upper floors.
Islamic officials called muezzins announce prayer time from atop the minarets five times a day. At least one minaret can be seen from almost any place in Cairo's old sections. Many of Cairo's mosques are outstanding examples of Islamic architecture. The Mosque of al-Azhar is part of a university, and the Muhammad Ali Mosque is part of a walled fortress called the Citadel. Cairo's museums house priceless treasures from many periods in history.