Drivers headed south from Seattle can easily recognize Washington state’s capitol building in Olympia.  In contrast, New Mexico’s capitol in Santa Fe conveys no obvious symbol of political power to most visitors; it was designed to look like a Zia Pueblo Sun Symbol from above.  What geographical locations and architectural expressions were associated with the seat of political power in Egypt from the rise of Islam in the 7thcentury to the present?   Were these locations and architectural characteristics unique to Greater Cairo over these many centuries?    An extensively illustrated talk will address these questions.