The establishment of the district was part of the Egyptian Government's plan to modernise and expand Cairo following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Egyptian President at the time, was involved personally in the design process, and was the one who chose the name Nasr for the new district. It is the largest district in Cairo, occupying nearly 250 km² of the capital's total
area of 1,445 km². For this reason, it is divided into 10 sub-districts, which are simply numbered instead of named. It is known for its well designed modern road system, and grid street system, which stands in contrast to the narrow winding streets of much of Old Cairo. Nasr City is home to the new premises of Al-Azhar University, the Cairo International Conference Center, Cairo International Stadium, and several government buildings. Among its major landmarks is the pyramid-like Unknown Soldier Memorial honouring the Egyptian and other Arab servicemen killed in the October War of 1973. The Memorial is opposite the grandstand at which President Sadat was assassinated, and is where Sadat himself is buried.
