Sohag Governorate
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox settlement
Sohag (Template:Langx) is one of the governorates of Egypt. It is located in the southern part of the country (Upper Egypt), and covers a stretch of the Nile Valley.<ref name="Google Map of Governorate">Template:Cite web</ref> Since 1960, its capital has been the city of Sohag. Prior to that, the capital was the city of Girga and the name of the governorate was Girga Governorate.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Overview
The rate of poverty is more than 60% in this governorate but recently some social safety networks have been provided in the form of financial assistance and job opportunities. The funding has been coordinated by the country's Ministry of Finance and with assistance from international organizations.<ref name="Takaful and Karama">Template:Cite news</ref>
In early 2019, some residents of the poorer villages of Sohag were able to move into their new homes built, in part, with aid from the National Bank of Kuwait. There was a celebration for the completion of 115 homes where residents also received cattle and other gifts.<ref name="Al-Ghwait_New_Homes">Template:Cite news</ref>
Archaeology
In April 2019, the archaeological mission of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities led by Mostafa Waziri uncovered a tomb of a nobleman called Toutou and his wife at al-Dayabat archaeological site dating back to the Ptolemaic Kingdom. The tomb contained two tiny rooms with two limestone sarcophagi as well as a well-preserved mummy and mummified animals (including falcons, eagles, cats, dogs and shrews) were also revealed in the tomb.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Municipal divisions
The governorate is divided into municipal divisions with a total estimated population as of January 2024 of 5,853,394. In the case of Sohag governorate, there are two new cities, five agsam and twelve markaz. In some instances there is a markaz and a kism with the same name.<ref name="CAPMAS2023" />
Population
Template:Historical populations According to population estimates, in 2024 the majority of residents in the governorate lived in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 21.4%. Out of an estimated 5,853,394 people residing in the governorate in 2024, 4,600,768 people lived in rural areas and 1,252,626 lived in urban areas.<ref name="pop 2015">Template:Cite web</ref>
Cities and towns
- Akhmim (Ipu or Khent-Min or Khemmis or Panopolis)
- Dar El Salam
- El Balyana
- El Mansha
- El Maragha
- El Usayrat
- Girga (Tjeny or Thinis)
- Juhayna
- Sakulta
- Sohag
- Tahta
- Tima
Industrial zones
According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the following industrial zones are located in Sohag:<ref name="IndustrialZones">Template:Cite web</ref>
| Zone name |
|---|
| El Ahaywa Industrial Zone |
| El Kawthar Industrial Zone |
| Industrial Zone West of Tahta |
| New Sohag City Industrial Zone |
| Bet Daoud Industrial Zone West of Gerga |
Important sites
- Abydos (Abedju)
- Apollonos Polis (Kom Isfaht)
- Beit Khallaf
- El Hawawish
- El Salamuni
- Gabal El Haridi
- Hut-Repyt (Athribis or Wannina)
- Kom Ishqaw (Aphrodito)
- Tjebu (Djew-Qa or Antaeopolis or Qaw el-Kebir)
- Red Monastery
- White Monastery
- Sohag Museum
Notable people
- Imad Hamdi (actor)
- Hamdy Ahmed (actor)
- George Sidhum (actor)
- Sawiris family (business family)
- Muhammad Siddiq Al-Minshawi (Quran Reciter)
References
External links
- El Wattan News of Sohag Governorate
- Hopkins, Nicholas S., Directions of Change in Rural Egypt, Oxford University Press, 2004
Template:Governorates of Egypt Template:Sohag Governorate Regions