Governorates of Upper Egypt

Upper Egypt Governorates

Upper Egypt is divided into three regions: Northern Upper Egypt, which includes the governorates of Fayoum, Beni Suef, and Minya; Central Upper Egypt, comprising the governorates of Asyut and New Valley; and Southern Upper Egypt, encompassing the governorates of Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Red Sea, Aswan, and their southern extensions up to the Egyptian-Sudanese border.^[1]

Governorates of Northern Upper Egypt

The Northern Upper Egypt region includes the following governorates:^[2]

• Beni Suef Governorate: Beni Suef was known in ancient Egyptian times as Bouphisia. It is now called the "Pearl of Upper Egypt" and is considered one of the oldest cities in the Nile Valley region. When the Arabs arrived, they changed the name to Menfesia for easier pronunciation in Arabic. In 1527, it was renamed Beni Yusuf after an Arab tribe that lived there, later evolving into its current name, Beni Suef. After 1952, it transitioned from a district to a full Egyptian governorate.^[3]

Beni Suef lies 120 kilometers south of Cairo and shares borders with several other Egyptian governorates: Minya, Fayoum, Giza, and Red Sea. The governorate covers about 1% of Egypt’s total area, approximately 10,954 square kilometers, consisting of both desert and agricultural lands renowned for producing fruits, vegetables, and aromatic plants.^[3]

• Fayoum Governorate: Located 100 kilometers southwest of Cairo, between the Delta and Upper Egypt, Fayoum spans about 6,069 square kilometers across six administrative centers—Fayoum, Senus, Ifta, Tamia, Abshway, and Youssef al-Sadiq—along with 49 local units and 159 villages. This governorate features a unique geographical landscape, combining green areas, lakes, and deserts, contributing to a distinctive natural environment that has shaped local life.^[4]

In the Pharaonic era, Fayoum was known as "Mer Wier," meaning "Great Sea," due to the extensive flooding of its lowlands. During the Roman period, it became known as "Cricodilopolis." Later, it was referred to as "Abyem," meaning "lake" or "pool," which eventually evolved into the modern name "Fayoum." When the Arabs arrived, they added the Arabic definite article, forming the name "Fayoum."^[4]

• Minya Governorate: There is some debate over the origin of the name Minya. Some believe it stems from the hieroglyphic term "Menat Khufu," while others suggest it comes from the Coptic word "Tmoone," meaning "home," referencing a historic Coptic monastery in the area. The governorate stretches 121 kilometers along the fertile Nile floodplains, rich in crops such as onions, barley, sugar cane, dates, wheat, and corn, as well as parts of the Western Desert with valuable iron ore deposits. Industrial activities include wheat milling and cotton ginning.^[5]

Governorates of Central Upper Egypt

The Central Upper Egypt region includes the following governorates:

• Asyut Governorate: The name Asyut is believed to derive from the ancient Egyptian word "Siwt," meaning "guardian." It historically served as a major route for caravans connecting Egypt to Sudan, significantly influencing trade and industry in the region. Today, Asyut remains a commercial hub for Upper Egypt and is among the largest governorates in Egypt by area, covering approximately 25,926 square kilometers. As the capital of Upper Egypt, it lies on both banks of the Nile River, bordered by the Eastern and Western mountain ranges. It is adjacent to Minya to the north, Sohag to the south, Red Sea to the east, and New Valley to the west.^[6]
• New Valley Governorate: Previously known as the Southern Governorate, the name was officially changed in 1958 when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the creation of a new valley parallel to the Nile in the Western Desert, aiming to cultivate and develop arid land to alleviate population pressure in the Nile Valley. This region is rich in archaeological sites spanning various historical periods.^[7] Located in the southwest of Egypt, near the borders of Libya and Sudan, it is bordered by Minya, Giza, and Marsa Matrouh to the north, and by Asyut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and Aswan to the east.^[8]

Governorates of Southern Upper Egypt

The Southern Upper Egypt region includes the following governorates:^[2]

• Qena Governorate: Qena is a key southern governorate with strong social and economic development potential. It boasts mineral resources, diverse agricultural production, land suitable for reclamation, and numerous historical and archaeological tourist sites. To the north lies Sohag, to the south Luxor, to the east Red Sea, and to the west New Valley. In ancient Egyptian times, it was known as "Shabt," and during the Arab rule, it was called "Aqni," from which the current name is derived.^[9]
• Luxor Governorate: Luxor is one of Egypt’s southern governorates, located about 670 kilometers from Cairo. It uniquely blends ancient heritage with modern life. It contains roughly one-sixth of the world’s archaeological sites and one-third of Egypt’s monuments. Notable landmarks include the Karnak Temple, Luxor Museum, Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut.^[10]
• Aswan Governorate: Aswan is internationally recognized as one of Egypt’s most famous governorates, home to some of the earliest civilizations along the Nile Valley, dating back nearly 7,000 years. It hosts a range of remarkable historical sites across different eras, including the Abu Simbel Temples, the unfinished obelisk, and the famous Nubian Museum. It also features modern attractions such as the High Dam and the Tropical Garden. Historically, it played a crucial role in securing Egypt’s southern border. Located 879 kilometers south of Cairo, Aswan is the southernmost governorate in Upper Egypt, serving as Egypt’s gateway to Africa. It is bordered by Qena to the north, Red Sea to the east, and New Valley to the west.^[11]
• Sohag Governorate: Sohag is one of Egypt’s oldest governorates within Upper Egypt. It borders Asyut to the south and Qena to the north, stretching along the Nile River. All cultivable land lies on the western bank of the Nile. The majority of residents are farmers, contributing significantly to agricultural output such as cotton, sugar cane, wheat, and onions. Sohag is among Egypt’s most densely populated governorates and is rich in Pharaonic and Coptic archaeological sites.^[12]
• Red Sea Governorate: The Red Sea Governorate is one of Egypt’s largest in terms of geographical area, covering approximately 119,000 square kilometers—about 12.5% of Egypt’s total area. It extends along the eastern coast of the Red Sea, while its western mountainous regions face the Nile Valley. It is also a prominent tourist destination, attracting visitors worldwide annually due to its mild climate, especially in winter. The governorate holds significant economic resources, including marble, phosphate, oil, iron, and copper.^[13]

Upper Egypt

Upper Egypt is a fundamental administrative and traditional region of the Egyptian Republic, stretching from southern Cairo all the way to Sudan.^[14] It is characterized as a highland region, forming the Nile Valley and southern Delta. It stands out for its unique geographical and cultural features. Historically, it functioned as a distinct entity separate from the Delta region, but later merged with it, creating a vital connection between Upper Egypt—known as "Upper Egypt"—and the Delta—referred to as "Lower Egypt."^[15]

References

1. ↑ Mohamed Abd El-Hadi, "Establishment of the Upper Egypt Development Authority", www.acrseg.org, Accessed on August 31, 2020. Adapted.
2. ^ ^{A B} "Geographical Maps", General Authority for Urban Planning, Accessed on February 3, 2017. Adapted.
3. ^ ^{A B} "Facts About Beni Suef", Official Website of Beni Suef Governorate, Accessed on February 3, 2017. Adapted.
4. ^ ^{A B} "What Do You Know About Fayoum?", Official Website of Fayoum Governorate, Accessed on February 3, 2017. Adapted.
5. ↑ "Minya Governorate", www.ask-aladdin.com, Retrieved on August 31, 2020. Edited.
6. ↑ "Asyut Governorate in Brief", assiut.gov.eg, Accessed on August 31, 2020. Adapted.
7. ↑ "New Valley Governorate", www.cairo.gov.eg, Accessed on August 31, 2020. Adapted.
8. ↑ "The Governorate in Brief - New Valley", newvalley.gov.eg, Accessed on August 31, 2020. Adapted.
9. ↑ "History of Qena", Official Website of Qena Governorate, Accessed on February 3, 2017. Adapted.
10. ↑ "The Governorate in Brief - Luxor", Official Website of Luxor Governorate, Accessed on February 3, 2017. Adapted.
11. ↑ General Authority for Urban Planning (2009), Environmental Perspective of National Urban Development Strategy, Egypt: Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Development, Page 35. Adapted.
12. ↑ The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica (June 30, 2010), "Suhaj GOVERNORATE, EGYPT", Encyclopædia Britannica, Retrieved on February 3, 2017. Edited.
13. ↑ "Geographical Nature of the Governorate", Official Website of Red Sea Governorate, Accessed on February 4, 2017. Adapted.
14. ↑ "British Dictionary definitions for Upper Egypt", Dictionary.com, Retrieved on February 3, 2017. Edited.
15. ↑ The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica (October 31, 2012), "Upper Egypt REGION, EGYPT", Encyclopædia Britannica, Retrieved on February 3, 2017. Edited.