Al Sharqia Governorate
Al Sharqia governorate is located in the northeastern part of Egypt. Ismaeliya borders the governorate to its east, El Qalyoubiya governorate to its south, El Manzala Lake to the north, and El Daqahila to the west. The governorate consists of several administrative centers, towns, and cities. The Al Sharqia governorate is well connected by rail and road to other governorates, making it easily accessible to most parts of the country.
More About The Governorate
Al Sharqia governorate is the largest agricultural governorate in Egypt. The total cultivatable land area is about 852.39 thousand hectares. Crops like wheat, rice, cotton, sugar beets, fava beans, and barley are grown here in massive quantities. Sharqi governate has many large-scale industries in various sectors, such as weaving, spinning, construction materials, chemicals, and wood.
In addition to agriculture and manufacturing, Al Sharqia is well-known for breeding high-quality Arabian horses, which has helped the governorate become an essential center of Egypt's prestigious equestrian tradition. This has led the governorate to organize a grand horse festival annually. The areas of Sharqia which are especially popular for breeding horses include Salheyia, Anshas, Bani Gery, and Saoud Island. Hunting deer, ducks, and falcons is another activity Al Sharqia is famous for. The governorate exemplifies the old meeting the new, with many monuments from all ages. Impressive monuments are found throughout the governate, attracting many tourists from far and wide. Some of the most notable monuments at the governorate are in places like Belbes, Saft el-Henna, Tal Basta, Qanteer, Tal el-Daba'a, Tal Pharaoh, and al-Sawa.
The historical importance of Al Sharqi
Throughout the history of Egypt, the Sharqia governorate has been seen as the eastern gate of Egypt, where invaders could break into the country. Sharqi was consolidated into El Dakahila governorate to unify defensive capabilities with its capital at Belbays City in the Middle Ages. In 1315, however, Sharqia again became a separate governorate. The capital of Sharqia changed from Belbays City to El Zagazig City during the 19th century.
Some Important Days In Al Sharqi
Al Sharqia governorate's national day of celebration is September 9th. This marks the day the leader Ahmed Qrabi confronted and defeated the Khedive Twakif in 1881. The emblem of Shaqria governorate is green, which signifies the bountiful agricultural land, and a picture of a white horse in the center due to its popularity as a breeding ground for Arabian horses.
Cities in the Governorate
The total land area covered by the governorate of Al Sharqia is 4,911.00 Km².
The main cities which make up Al Sharqi are the following:
10th of Ramadan
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 500,000
- Economy: Mainly industrial; known for its various industrial zones
- Significance: Named after the Islamic holiday, it was built to absorb the increasing population in Cairo.
Abu Hammad
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 150,000
- Economy: Mainly agricultural
- Significance: Known for fertile lands and farming communities.
Abu Kebir
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 200,000
- Economy: Agriculture and some light industries
- Significance: Rich in agricultural lands.
Al Hesinyah
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Mainly agricultural
- Significance: Smaller town, less urbanized.
Al Ibrahimiyah
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Agriculture-based
- Significance: Known for traditional farming methods.
Al Obour:
- Governorate: Qalyubia
- Population: Approximately 250,000
- Economy: Industrial and residential
- Significance: Planned city near Cairo, aimed at decongesting the capital.
Al Qorein:
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Primarily agriculture
- Significance: Rural area with a focus on farming.
Awlad Sakr:
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Agriculture-focused
- Significance: Smaller town known for its rural setting.
Belbais:
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 100,000
- Economy: Agricultural and trade
- Significance: It is a historical town with a rich cultural heritage.
Darb Nejm
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Mainly agricultural
- Significance: Rural area with small farming communities.
El Qenayat
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Agriculture-based
- Significance: Known for its agricultural produce.
Famous
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 100,000
- Economy: Agriculture and some trade
- Significance: Known for its fertile lands and agricultural products.
Hehia
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Primarily agricultural
- Significance: Mainly known for its farming communities.
Kafr Saqr
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 300,000
- Economy: Agriculture and trade
- Significance: One of the larger towns in Sharqia with a diverse economy.
Mashtoul El Souq
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 150,000
- Economy: Mainly agricultural
- Significance: Known for its local market and agricultural produce.
Menia El Qamh
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 200,000
- Economy: Agriculture-based
- Significance: Known for its fertile farmlands.
San El Hagar
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Unknown
- Economy: Agriculture and some tourism due to historical sites
- Significance: Contains ruins and ancient artifacts.
Al Zagazig
- Governorate: Sharqi
- Population: Approximately 1 million
- Economy: Diverse; agriculture, trade, and education
- Significance: Capital of Sharqia Governorate; home to Zagazig University.
