Alexandria ( or ;
Arabic: ; ;
Ancient Greek: , )
[see other names] is the
second largest city and a major economic centre in
Egypt, extending about along the coast of the
Mediterranean Sea in the
north central part of the country. It is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. Its low elevation on the
Nile delta makes it highly vulnerable to rising sea levels. Alexandria is Egypt's largest seaport, serving approximately 80% of Egypt's imports and exports. It is an important industrial center because of its
natural gas and
oil pipelines from
Suez. Alexandria is also an important tourist destination.