Lagos vs Cairo - City Size Comparison

Is Lagos Bigger Than Cairo?

Yes — Cairo is 2.6x larger than Lagos by area. Cairo spans 3,085 km² (1,191 mi²) while Lagos covers 1,172 km² (453 mi²) — a difference of 1,913 km². You could fit Lagos inside Cairo approximately 2 times.

About Lagos

Nigeria's largest city and economic hub of West Africa. Known as "Eko", Lagos covers 1,172 km² with a population of 15.4 million. The city was established in 1472. Lagos is known for Afrobeats music scene, Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos Island, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).

Lagos is projected to become the world's largest city by population by 2100

About Cairo

Egypt's capital and the largest city in the Arab world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets", Cairo has an area of 3,085 km² and is home to 10.1 million people. It was established in 969. Visitors come for Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Cairo Metro.

Cairo is the only major city in the world where you can see ancient pyramids from the city center

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Cairo metropolitan area covers 6,588 km², which is 2.4x larger than greater Lagos at 2,706 km². The Cairo metro area is also more populous, with 21.3 million people compared to 21.0 million.

Population Density

Lagos has a population density of 13,131 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Cairo, with 3,274 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Lagos is dramatically more crowded, with 4.0x the population density.

Climate & Time Zone

Lagos has a tropical savanna climate while Cairo experiences hot desert conditions.