The map and line graph show how the physical size and population of the Egyptian city of Alexandria changed over 140 years, from 1840 to 1980. Overall, the size of the city increased considerably, especially towards the north-east and along Lake Marriout. Similarly, the number of people living in this city also followed a rising trajectory.
In 1840, the city was relatively small in size, at only four square kilometres, and was located in the middle of the map. In 1900, the area grew marginally, and by 1960, it had seen the most pronounced increase, expanding both westward and eastward along the coast, where the Mediterranean Sea was located. In the following two decades, the city expanded considerably, reaching a striking 100 square kilometers in size and surrounding Lake Marriout.
As the city expanded significantly, so did the population. Initially, there were only about 250 thousand people. By 1900, this figure almost doubled to about 500 thousand. From 1900 onwards, however, the population growth accelerated, surging to a staggering three million, recording a twelve-fold increase throughout the timeframe.