The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a major library and cultural center located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria. Opened in 2002, it was built to commemorate the ancient Library of Alexandria, which was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world before its destruction. The modern building is shaped like a giant tilted sun disk, symbolizing the rising sun of knowledge. The exterior granite walls are carved with characters from 120 different human scripts, representing the universality of knowledge. The main reading room can hold up to 2,000 readers and is situated under a glass roof that tilts toward the sea to allow in natural light while shielding the books from direct sunlight. It also houses a permanent copy of the Internet Archive, ensuring the digital preservation of history for future generations.