Sharqia Governorate

Sharqia is a major governorate located in the northern part of Egypt. A governorate is an administrative division used to manage a specific region. Sharqia is the third most populous of the 27 governorates in the country. Its capital is the city of Zagazig. This region is highly important to Egypt's economy. It maintains a very strong agricultural and industrial sector. Many people rely on the land for farming and the zones for manufacturing.

The economy of Sharqia relies on two main pillars. First, the agricultural sector uses the land for large-scale farming.

You can see examples of these farms in areas like Diarb Negm. Second, the industrial sector provides jobs through dedicated industrial zones. The Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) manages these areas. Two specific locations are the 10th of Ramadan Industrial Zone and the New El Salhia Industrial Zone. These zones help turn raw materials into finished goods.

Sharqia is divided into different types of municipal divisions. These divisions help the government manage the large population. Some divisions are called a markaz. A markaz is a district that usually includes a central town and surrounding rural areas. Other divisions are called a kism. A kism is a fully urban division that focuses on city life. For example, Zagazig is divided into several kism areas to manage its many residents. These divisions allow for organized local government across the entire governorate.

The population of Sharqia is very large and mostly lives in the countryside. As of January 2023, the estimated total population was 7,021,046 people. In 2015, the urbanization rate was only 25 percent. This means that 75 percent of the people lived in rural areas. Out of 6,485,412 people in 2015, 4,987,707 lived in rural settings. Only 1,497,705 people lived in urban areas at that time. This shows how important the farming lifestyle remains in this region.

Many different cities and towns exist within these boundaries. Some locations are much larger than others. Bilbeis is a large markaz with 889,709 people. Minya El Qamh is also very large, with 831,505 residents. Zagazig is another major center, with its markaz containing 933,504 people. Other places are much smaller. El Qanayat is a kism with 74,611 people. New Salhia is a kism with 62,610 people. These numbers show the diverse scale of human settlement in Sharqia.

Sharqia is famous as the birthplace of many historical leaders. This includes the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II. The region has produced many notable figures in politics and science. For example, Magdi Yacoub is a famous professor of cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiothoracic surgery is a medical specialty involving the heart and lungs. The area also produced Ahmed 'Urabi, who led a nationalist uprising in 1881. Many other scholars, poets, and even famous athletes have roots here.

The people of Sharqia represent a wide range of talents. The Abaza Family is one of the largest aristocratic families in Egypt. They are of Circassian Abazin origin. The governorate has also influenced Egyptian culture through music and literature. Famous singers like Abdel Halim Hafez and Hamada Helal come from this area. Novelists like Miral al-Tahawy and Yusuf Abu Rayya have won awards for their writing. This mix of history, industry, and culture makes Sharqia a vital part of Egypt.