[9] In its larger definition, the area includes all cities in the Cairo Governorate (Cairo, New Cairo, Badr, Shorouk, 15th of May, the New Administrative Capital, and Capital Gardens) as well as the main cities of the Giza Governorate (Giza, 6th of October, New 6 October, October Gardens, Sheikh Zayed, and New Sphinx) and Shubra El Kheima and Obour in the Qalyubia Governorate.

[5] According to an estimate based on United Nations projections, the area had a population of 22,183,000 in 2023.

[3] (billion EGP)[3] (billion USD) The Greater Cairo Area and its surrounding region is classified as hot desert climate (BWh) in Köppen-Geiger classification, as all of Egypt.

Cairo and its surrounding region have very similar day to day temperatures; however, the less populated parts at the east and the west do not experience the urban heat island effect, which makes them more prone to have soft hail.

60% of all informal houses in Egypt are located in the Greater Cairo area.