City of the Dead, Cairo, Egypt

What comes to your mind when you hear the words, "City of the Dead?" Maybe a suburb of vampires or zombies?
While there are several places referred to as the "City of the Dead," I am specifically referring to Cairo, Egypt.

This photo of City of the Dead (Northern Cemetery) is courtesy of TripAdvisor

What's interesting about it besides the name? It is a cemetery inhabited by both living and dead.
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_the_Dead_%28Cairo%29

The advantage of this necropolis is that there are mausoleums and other buildings for many of the tombs, providing shelter to those who need it.

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/city.htm

Some estimates have the number of living inhabitants in the City of the Dead to be around a million. Others say more or less.

This photo of City of the Dead (Northern Cemetery) is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Many Cairo citizens have actually found a place to take shelter and set up home (or shop) here in this huge cemetery.
Here you can see a glassblower at work.

This photo of City of the Dead (Northern Cemetery) is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Many have lived here for decades, and some have had family living here for generations.

 

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/egypt/cairo-city-of-the-dead/

I have never been there and I doubt I will travel to Cairo any time soon, but I came across the subject in my geography book and thought it to be an interesting topic.