National Geographic Society Museum

The National Geographic Museum is a museum complex in Cairo consisting of a small museum devoted to ethnography, a large library and a hall used for debates and lectures on geography related subjects.

The Cairo National Geographic Museum was commissioned by Khedive Ismail in 1875. He gave 600 acres of land to the museum to provide revenue for the museum. It was given the status of an independent institution and the revenue was to keep the institution independent. The purpose of the National Geographic Museum was to assist European explorers and missionaries who were exploring the source of the River Nile.

The Cairo National Geographic Museum has an ethnographic section devoted to exhibits about the lifestyles of the people of Egypt and Africa from the 19th Century. Objects reflect the habits and customs of people from different parts of Egypt. They consist of jewelry, ornaments, toys, musical instruments, public baths and objects used in wedding ceremonies. The large debating hall can seat an audience of 500 people. The 12th International Conference for Geography was held here and was chaired by King Fouad. There is also a vast research library with a large collection of books on Geography. Many of the books are about early explorations of Egypt and Africa by European explorers.