Egyptian Cities, Towns, and Governorates

Egyptian Cities, Towns, and Governorates

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.

Governorates

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: An Overview

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.

Governorates

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.

Cities

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.

Districts

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.

A Deep Dive Into Egypt's Governorates

Let's take a closer look at some of Egypt's governorates, their capital cities, and their unique features.

New Valley Governorate

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.

Matruh Governorate

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.

Red Sea Governorate

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.

Giza Governorate

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.

South Sinai Governorate

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.

The Cities of Egypt: A Glimpse

Egypt is home to numerous cities with unique charm and character. Here are a few noteworthy ones:

Cairo

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

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

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

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

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.

Conclusion

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