It’s frankly startling to see how things evolve over the years, especially when you don’t have the full picture. Sure, stores around you might close, buildings might get knocked over, and new neighbourhoods come into existence regularly. But witnessing the overall contrast between then and now from a birds eye view can be pretty freaky. So to somewhat celebrate the new year, and our new super high-tech slider function, we’ve compiled Google Earth images of Cairo’s most popular cities several years apart.

Zamalek

Whether it’s the imaging technology at the time, or Zamalek’s iconic greenery is indeed on decline, the posh little island has seen quite a world of difference. A slew of new buildings, advanced landscaping, and a few people getting bigger pools seems to be the trend.

Maadi

Not much seems to have changed for the forest folk living in lush Maadi. Again, the matter of greenery seems to be debatable, but I’m willing to wager that the increase in folks, cars, and everything else unfriendly to the environment has taken its toll.

Mohandeseen (Featuring Dokki)

I’m unsure as to whether the definition has improved over the years (it has), or if Mohandessin and Dokki have somehow gotten even more crowded. Suffice it to say that far, far more urban development has taken hold of the conjoined cities. Whereas the greenery is all but dying.

Heliopolis

See, this is what happens when you plan a city damn-near perfectly. Heliopolis, save for a few construction projects and expansions, has somehow improved over the years. This is not me being romantic (I hate Heliopolis), but you can clearly see how it’s maintained its overall structure. Shame about the greenery though.

Nasr City

Much like a rampant, unchecked, beautiful virus, Nas City has all but exploded in density. This is just a small section too; the bigger picture is far, far more terrifying. I’ve lived most of my life in Nasr City; I’ve seen it grow into a grotesque work of art. It pulses with urban vigour, never to be halted. Nasr City is all-consuming.

6th of October City

Thankfully, Google Earth has actually clear images of the land beyond time (AKA October) from before the year 2000. It’s frankly amazing how far the dust bowl that is October has grown over the decades, and how it continues to do so. There wasn’t much in the way of greenery to begin with, so no harm done after all.

New Cairo

Perhaps the most stark of all our picks, New Cairo has come a long, long way in just 18 years. You can attribute that to the constant race for a new capital city every few years, seeing as New Cairo was meant to fill those shoes. It has remained in people’s good graces regardless, however, and continues to creep all over the desert to this day.