Asyut Governorate
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Asyūṭ (Template:Langx) is one of the 27 governorates of Egypt. It stretches across a section of the Nile River.<ref name="Google Maps Asyut Gov">Template:Cite web</ref> The capital of the governorate is the city of Asyut.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Etymology
The name of Asyut is derived from early Egyptian Zawty (Z3JW.TJ), late Egyptian Səyáwt, into Coptic Syowt. An A was added to the beginning of the name Syowt to become Asyut.<ref name="Co1905">Template:Cite book</ref>
Overview
The rate of poverty in Asyut is more than 60%. Recently, some social safety networks have been provided, in the form of financial assistance and job opportunities. The funding has been coordinated by Egypt's Ministry of Finance, with assistance from international organizations.<ref name="Takaful and Karama">Template:Cite news</ref>
Municipal divisions
The governorate is divided into municipal divisions, with a total estimated population of 5,231,820 as of April 2025. In Asyut Governorate, there is 1 new city, three aqsam and eleven marakiz. Sometimes a markaz and a qism share a name.<ref name="CAPMAS2023" /> Template:Clarify
Population
According to 2024 estimates, the majority of residents in the governorate live in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 26.5%. Out of an estimated 5,169,423 people residing in the governorate, 3,799,525 live in rural areas, as opposed to only 1,369,898 in urban areas.<ref name="pop">Template:Cite web</ref>
Demographics
Asyut has a population of over 4 million people, with a significant Coptic presence. Muslims and Christians have lived together in Asyut and at times there have been clashes. In July 2013, a large number of Christians took to the streets to protest Muslim extremism in Asyut.<ref name="Protests">Template:Cite news</ref>
Whether Christian or Muslim, Asyut is home to a very conservative society and in October, 2016 Upper Egypt's first beauty pageant, which was to be held in Asyut, had to be canceled due to death threats and security issues.<ref name="Beauty">Template:Cite news</ref>
Cities
- Abnub
- Abu Tig
- Asyut
- Dairut
- El Badari
- El Ghanayem
- Manfalut
- El Quseyya
- Sahel Selim
- Sanabo
- Sodfa
- New Nasser City
Industrial zones
According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the following industrial zones are located in Asyut:<ref name="IndustrialZones">Template:Cite web</ref>
| Zone name |
|---|
| Bidary Industrial Zone |
| Dashlot Dariot Industrial Zone |
| El Awamer Abanoub Industrial Zone |
| El Safaa Industrial Zone |
| El Zarrabi Wadi Serga Mountain Industrial Zone |
| Sahel Selem Industrial Zone |
Projects and programs
In 2016, Switzerland committed to funding a solid waste management program in Asyut, a project with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment that will conclude in 2021. The National Solid Waste Management Programme (NSWMP) involves the construction of infrastructure for new as well as the expansion and improvement of existing waste treatment, landfill, and recycling facilities.<ref name="Swiss waste mgmt 2016">Template:Cite news</ref>
Important sites
Ancient quarries are an important feature of Asyut. There are about 500 rock-cut tombs and limestone quarries all around Asyut.<ref name="geomorphology">Template:Cite journal</ref> The governorate of Asyut includes the Ancient Egyptian tombs of Meir,<ref name="Meir">Template:Cite book</ref> and the town of Durunka,<ref name="Dronka">Template:Cite book</ref> which is a pilgrimage site for many Copts who come to visit a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary.<ref name="Convent">Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="CopticBook">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Convent2016">Template:Cite news</ref>
Notable people
- Ahmed Lutfi el-Sayed, Egyptian nationalist.
- al-Suyuti, a Sunni Muslim theologian who died in 1505.
- Akhnoukh Fanous, political activist<ref name="Fanous">Template:Cite book</ref>
- Coluthus, 5th century Greek poet.
- Ester Fanous, female activist<ref>Hanna Fahmy Wissa, Assiout: the saga of an Egyptian family, 2000.</ref>
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- Gamal Abdel Nasser, Second President of Egypt<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Hafez Ibrahim, poet born in Dairut, Asyut<ref name="Poet">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ismail al-Qabbani
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- Melitius of Lycopolis, founder of the Melitians.
- Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti
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- Mohamed Mustagab
- Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church<ref name="PopeShenouda">Template:Cite news</ref>
- Samir Ghanem, a comedian, singer, and entertainer.