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When most people think about towns and cities in Egypt, the main ones that come to mind are the major cities or the ones with popular tourist attractions, but there are more than 200 towns and cities with a population of over 15,000 in Egypt.
Because 90% of Egypt is desert, most of the towns have developed bordering the River Nile, along the shores of the Mediterranean or Red Seas, beside the Suez Canal, or among various desert oases. Egypt's enormous population growth has caused many areas to be built on sandy foundations rather than more sustainable soil. Giza is a prime example of this as it slowly moves towards the plateau where the famous pyramids were built.
For administrative purposes, Egypt is divided into 27 governorates, which are the top level of the country's five-level jurisdiction system that determines which administrative body has the authority to decide certain things. Each province is administered by a governor, who is appointed by the President of Egypt, serving at the president's discretion.
These governorates have a population density of more than one thousand per km², although the three most significant (Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza) have a population density of less than two per km². Egypt's governorates are either entirely "urban" or else a mixture of "urban" and "rural." The official distinction between "urban" and "rural" is reflected in the lower levels of administrative authority: urban governorates have no regions, or “Markaz”, as these are just an assortment of villages. Governorates may, however, consist of only one city, as is the case with Cairo or Alexandria, for example. These one-city governorates are divided into districts (fundamentally urban neighborhoods). Cairo has twenty-three districts, while Alexandria has only six.
Egypt, officially known as the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country that spans the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia. The country's rich history and diverse culture make it a fascinating study for historians and travelers. One of the critical aspects of Egypt's administrative system is its division into governorates and cities. This article delves into the intricacies of Egypt's administrative divisions.
Egypt's administrative structure consists of three levels: Governorates, Cities, and Districts. Each of these levels has a specific role in the country's administration, and they collectively contribute to the seamless functioning of the country's governance.
Egypt is divided into 29 governorates, each administered by a governor. The governorates vary in size and population. Some governorates, like Cairo, are densely populated, while others, like the New Valley or South Sinai, have smaller populations and cover large areas.
Within these governorates, there are numerous cities and towns. Each city or town has its local administration responsible for managing local affairs and providing services to the local population.
Cities and towns in Egypt are further subdivided into districts. These districts are the most minor administrative units in Egypt and play a crucial role in the local governance structure.
Let's take a closer look at some of Egypt's governorates, their capital cities, and their unique features.
With its capital at Kharga, the New Valley Governorate is the largest in Egypt, spanning a massive 376,505 square kilometers. It is an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty, starkly contrasting the bustling city life of Cairo or Alexandria.
The Matruh Governorate, with its capital at Marsa Matruh, is known for its beautiful beaches and clear waters. It is a popular holiday destination for both Egyptians and tourists from around the world.
With its capital at Hurghada, the Red Sea Governorate is a tourist hotspot famous for its stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life. The governorate is a mecca for divers and snorkeling enthusiasts.
With its capital at Giza, the Giza Governorate houses the world-renowned Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx. These iconic structures are among the most visited tourist attractions in Egypt.
The South Sinai Governorate, with its capital at El-Tor, is home to Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. The governorate is also known for its picturesque landscapes and rich Bedouin culture.
Egypt is home to numerous cities with unique charm and character. Here are a few noteworthy ones:
Cairo, the capital and largest city in Egypt is the country's heart. The city is a melting pot of culture, history, and modernity. It is home to the famous Egyptian Museum, the Citadel, and the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great, is a city steeped in Greek history. It boasts the magnificent Qaitbay Citadel and the iconic Montaza Palace.
Luxor, often called the world's most excellent open-air museum, is home to the Valley of the Kings, the Luxor Temple, and the Karnak Temple.
Aswan, located in the south of Egypt, is known for its beautiful Nile views and numerous ancient temples, including the Philae and Abu Simbel temples.
Sharm El Sheikh, located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is a renowned beach resort city. It is famous for its sandy beaches, clear waters, and vibrant nightlife.
Egypt's administrative structure is vital to the country's governance and development. The division into governorates, cities, and districts ensures efficient administration and provides a solid foundation for economic growth and social development. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or an avid traveler, understanding Egypt's administrative divisions can enrich your knowledge of this ancient land.
Here is a list of all Egyptian cities with a population over 15,000:
Name |
Governorate |
2016 Population |
Cairo |
Cairo |
9,947,216 |
Alexandria |
Alexandria |
6,084,672 |
Giza |
Giza |
7,615,165 |
Shubra el-Khema |
Qalyubia |
2,025,569 |
Port Said |
Port Said |
570,603 |
Suez |
Suez |
500,000 |
El Mahalla el Kubra |
Gharbia |
442,958 |
El Mansoura |
Dakahlia |
439,348 |
Tanta |
Gharbia |
422,854 |
Asyut |
Asyut |
389,307 |
Fayoum |
Fayoum |
315,940 |
Zagazig |
Sharqia |
302,840 |
Ismailia |
Ismailia |
293,184 |
Khusus |
Qalyubia |
291,242 |
Aswan |
Aswan |
266,013 |
Damanhur |
Beheira |
244,043 |
El-Minya |
Minya |
236,043 |
Damietta |
Damietta |
206,664 |
Luxor |
Luxor |
202,232 |
Qena |
Qena |
201,191 |
Beni Suef |
Beni Suef |
193,048 |
Sohag |
Sohag |
190,132 |
Shibin el-Kom |
Monufia |
177,112 |
Hurghada |
Red Sea |
160,901 |
Banha |
Qalyubia |
157,701 |
Kafr al-Sheikh |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
147,393 |
Mallawi |
Minya |
139,929 |
El Arish |
North Sinai |
137,944 |
Belbeis |
Sharqia |
137,182 |
10th of Ramadan City |
Sharqia |
125,920 |
Marsa Matruh |
Matruh |
120,539 |
Mit Ghamr |
Dakahlia |
116,593 |
Kafr el-Dawwar |
Beheira |
114,030 |
Qalyub |
Qalyubia |
107,303 |
Desouk |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
106,827 |
Abu Kabir |
Sharqia |
103,175 |
Girga |
Sohag |
102,597 |
Akhmim |
Sohag |
101,509 |
El-Matareya |
Dakahlia |
100,566 |
Edko |
Beheira |
97,168 |
Bilqas |
Dakahlia |
94,700 |
Zifta |
Gharbia |
93,740 |
Samalut |
Minya |
91,475 |
Menouf |
Monufia |
89,262 |
Senbellawein |
Dakahlia |
86,786 |
Tahta |
Sohag |
85,528 |
Bush |
Beni Suef |
85,319 |
Ashmoun |
Monufia |
83,931 |
Manfalut |
Asyut |
82,585 |
Senuris |
Fayoum |
82,148 |
Beni Mazar |
Minya |
79,553 |
Faqous |
Sharqia |
78,405 |
Talkha |
Dakahlia |
78,281 |
Armant |
Qena |
76,457 |
Maghagha |
Minya |
75,657 |
Manzala |
Dakahlia |
75,034 |
Dairut |
Asyut |
72,856 |
Kom Ombo |
Aswan |
71,596 |
Kafr al-Zayat |
Gharbia |
71,272 |
Abu Tig |
Asyut |
70,969 |
Qis |
Asyut |
69,388 |
Edfu |
Aswan |
69,000 |
Rosetta |
Beheira |
68,947 |
Esna |
Qena |
68,656 |
Dikirnis |
Dakahlia |
67,732 |
Abnub |
Asyut |
67,526 |
Tima |
Sohag |
67,443 |
Beila |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
66,663 |
El-Kanater al-Khiria |
Qalyubia |
66,350 |
Al-Fashn |
Beni Suef |
65,621 |
Al-Mansha |
Sohag |
65,484 |
Al-Kareen |
Sharqia |
64,453 |
El-Gamalia |
Dakahlia |
63,894 |
Fuwa |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
63,175 |
Minya al-Qamh |
Sharqia |
62,331 |
Kharga |
New Valley |
60,584 |
Qus |
Qena |
60,068 |
Khanka |
Qalyubia |
59,500 |
Abu Qirqas |
Minya |
57,892 |
Biba |
Beni Suef |
57,716 |
Samannoud |
Gharbia |
57,177 |
Minyet al-Nasr |
Dakahlia |
56,000 |
Shibin al-Qanater |
Qalyubia |
55,272 |
Ibshawai |
Fayoum |
54,853 |
Sherbin |
Dakahlia |
54,785 |
Drib Nigm |
Sharqia |
53,384 |
Basyoun |
Gharbia |
53,226 |
Sers el-Lyan |
Monufia |
52,653 |
Dishna |
Qena |
52,534 |
Al-Hamool |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
51,209 |
Farshut |
Qena |
51,052 |
Tala |
Monufia |
49,468 |
Ash-Shuhada |
Monufia |
49,447 |
Tamiya |
Fayoum |
49,385 |
Mashtul el-Sook |
Sharqia |
48,709 |
Sadat City |
Monufia |
48,666 |
El-Ghanayem |
Asyut |
48,144 |
Itsa |
Fayoum |
47,189 |
Al-Baliyana |
Sohag |
46,997 |
Hosh Issa |
Beheira |
46,994 |
Matai |
Minya |
46,903 |
Juhayna |
Sohag |
46,768 |
Sidi Salem |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
45,906 |
Naj Hammadi |
Qena |
45,038 |
Quesna |
Monufia |
44,667 |
Hehya |
Sharqia |
44,465 |
Abul Matamir |
Beheira |
44,415 |
El Ubour |
Qalyubia |
43,600 |
El-Badari |
Asyut |
42,770 |
Al-Kanayat |
Sharqia |
42,563 |
At-Tall al-Kabir |
Ismailia |
42,552 |
El-Delengat |
Beheira |
41,768 |
Al-Hammam |
Matruh |
41,741 |
Tukh |
Qalyubia |
41,624 |
Bagour |
Monufia |
41,072 |
Etay el-Barud |
Beheira |
40,744 |
Deir Mawas |
Minya |
40,640 |
Baltim |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
40,199 |
Abu Hammad |
Sharqia |
39,361 |
Abu Hummus |
Beheira |
39,350 |
Nabaroh |
Dakahlia |
38,953 |
Sharm el-Sheikh |
South Sinai |
38,478 |
Daraw |
Aswan |
38,400 |
Al-Maragha |
Sohag |
38,393 |
Sumusta al-Waqf |
Beni Suef |
37,965 |
Al-Wasta |
Beni Suef |
37,916 |
Ihnasiya |
Beni Suef |
37,174 |
Kom Hamadah |
Beheira |
36,334 |
Al-Quseir |
Red Sea |
35,045 |
Qallin |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
35,033 |
Birkat al-Sab |
Monufia |
33,873 |
Safaga |
Red Sea |
33,715 |
Ezbet el-Borg |
Damietta |
33,538 |
Faraskur |
Damietta |
33,000 |
Al-Ibrahimiya |
Sharqia |
32,167 |
El-Santa |
Gharbia |
32,033 |
Ras Gharib |
Red Sea |
31,860 |
Sahel Selim |
Asyut |
31,781 |
Dar as-Salam |
Sohag |
31,736 |
Rafah |
North Sinai |
31,515 |
Mit Salsil |
Dakahlia |
31,272 |
Al-Husseinieh |
Sharqia |
30,825 |
Kafr el-Batikh |
Damietta |
30,500 |
Kafr Saqr |
Sharqia |
30,333 |
Bani Ubayd |
Dakahlia |
30,048 |
El-Qantara |
Ismailia |
29,505 |
Metoubes |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
29,428 |
El-Rahmaniyah |
Beheira |
29,393 |
Shubrakhit |
Beheira |
28,505 |
El-Mahmoudiyah |
Beheira |
28,277 |
Al-Waqf |
Qena |
27,525 |
New Damietta City |
Damietta |
27,028 |
Qaha |
Qalyubia |
26,694 |
Kotoor |
Gharbia |
24,518 |
Abu Suweir-el-Mahatta |
Ismailia |
24,265 |
Kafr Shukr |
Qalyubia |
23,390 |
Kafr Saad |
Damietta |
22,500 |
Qift |
Qena |
22,063 |
Fayed |
Ismailia |
21,808 |
Saqultah |
Sohag |
21,695 |
Wadi al-Natrun |
Beheira |
21,540 |
Naqadah |
Qena |
21,530 |
As-Sarw |
Damietta |
21,500 |
Awlad Saqr |
Sharqia |
21,370 |
Sidi Barrani |
Matruh |
21,060 |
Al-Basaliyah Bahri |
Aswan |
21,000 |
Badr |
Beheira |
20,971 |
Sedfa |
Asyut |
20,931 |
El-Qantara ash-Sharqiya |
Ismailia |
20,700 |
Ar-Ruda |
Damietta |
20,500 |
Mut |
New Valley |
20,439 |
Al-Tur |
South Sinai |
19,826 |
New Salhia |
Sharqia |
18,957 |
Ash-Shaykh Zawid |
North Sinai |
18,577 |
Riyadh |
Kafr el-Sheikh |
18,263 |
New Beni Suef |
Beni Suef |
25,921 |
Aga |
Dakahlia |
17,580 |
Ad-Dabah |
Matruh |
27,559 |
Al-Zarqa |
Damietta |
22,500 |
As-Sibaiyah Gharb |
Aswan |
27,300 |
Siwa |
Matruh |
30,056 |
El-Idwa |
Minya |
2515,875 |
Yusuf as-Siddiq |
Fayoum |
25,660 |
Al-Bayadiyah |
Luxor |
25,501 |