Sohag Governorate | |
|---|---|
 View ofSohag | |
 Flag  | |
.svg) Sohag Governorate on the map of Egypt | |
| Coordinates:26°34′N31°42′E / 26.56°N 31.7°E /26.56; 31.7 | |
| Country |  Egypt |
| Seat | Sohag (capital) |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Abdel-Fattah Noureldin Serag[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,547 km2 (597 sq mi) |
| Population (January 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 5,853,394 |
| • Density | 3,784/km2 (9,800/sq mi) |
| GDP | |
| • Total | EGP 108 billion (US$ 6.9 billion) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EGY) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| HDI (2021) | 0.685[4] medium ·21st |
| Website | www |
Sohag (Arabic:محافظة سوهاج) is one of thegovernorates of Egypt. It is located in the southern part of the country (Upper Egypt), and covers a stretch of theNile Valley.[5] Since 1960, its capital has been the city ofSohag. Prior to that, the capital was the city ofGirga and the name of the governorate wasGirga Governorate.[6]
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 thecountry's Ministry of Finance and with assistance from international organizations.[7]
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 theNational Bank of Kuwait. There was a celebration for the completion of 115 homes where residents also received cattle and other gifts.[8]
In April 2019, the archaeological mission of theMinistry of Tourism and Antiquities led byMostafa Waziri uncovered a tomb of a nobleman called Toutou and his wife at al-Dayabat archaeological site dating back to thePtolemaic Kingdom. The tomb contained two tiny rooms with twolimestonesarcophagi as well as a well-preservedmummy andmummified animals (including falcons, eagles, cats, dogs and shrews) were also revealed in the tomb.[9][10][11]
In January 2026, archaeologists announced the discovery of aByzantine-era monastic complex at Al-Qarya bi-Al-Duweir in the Tema district. The Egyptian archaeological mission, conducted by theSupreme Council of Antiquities, uncovered the foundations of multiple mudbrick buildings that formed a monastic residential settlement dating to the Byzantine period. The remains include rectangular halls, cells believed to have served as monks’ living and worship spaces, and plastered walls with niches, while courtyards and small circular structures likely functioned as communal areas. Evidence of a central church with a nave, choir and sanctuary suggests organized religious life, and ancillary features such as red-brick and limestone basins indicate water storage or auxiliary functions. Artefacts recovered at the site included storageamphorae andCoptic-inscribedostraca.[12][13][14]
The governorate is divided intomunicipal 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 twelvemarkaz. In some instances there is a markaz and a kism with the same name.[2]
| Anglicized name | Native name | Arabic transliteration | Population (July 2017 Est.) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akhmim | مركز أخميم | Akhmīm | 498,670 | Markaz |
| El Balyana | مركز البلينا | Al-Balyanā | 595,606 | Markaz |
| El Kawthar | قسم الكوثر | Al-Kawthar | 5,543 | Kism (fully urban) |
| El Maragha | مركز المراغة | Al-Marāghah | 447,222 | Markaz |
| El Munsha | مركز المنشأة | Al-Munsha'āh | 458,552 | Markaz |
| Aserat | مركز العسيرات | Al-'Usayrāt | 195,927 | Markaz |
| Dar El Salam | مركز دار السلام | Dar as-Salām | 466,727 | Markaz |
| Girga | قسم جرجا | Jirjā | 146,756 | Kism (urban and rural parts) |
| Girga | مركز جرجا | Jirjā | 376,144 | Markaz |
| Juhaynah West | مركز جهينة الغربية | Juhaynah al-Gharbiyah | 309,544 | Markaz |
| New Akhmim | مدينة أخميم الجديدة | Madīnat Akhmīm al-Jadīdah | 0 | New City |
| New Sohag | مدينة سوهاج الجديدة | Madīnat Sawhāj al-Jadīdah | 200 | New City |
| Saqultah | مركز ساقلته | Sāqultah | 235,361 | Markaz |
| Sohag | مركز سوهاج | Sawhāj | 608,574 | Markaz |
| Sohag 1 | قسم اول سوهاج | Sawhāj 1 | 150,616 | Kism (fully urban) |
| Sohag 2 | قسم ثان سوهاج | Sawhāj 2 | 124,746 | Kism (fully urban) |
| Tahta | قسم طهطا | Ṭahṭā | 187,903 | Kism (urban and rural parts) |
| Tahta | مركز طهطا | Ṭahṭā | 327,950 | Markaz |
| Tima | مركز طما | Ṭimā | 486,899 | Markaz |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 1,118,402 | — |
| 1947 | 1,283,468 | +14.8% |
| 1957 | 1,449,000 | +12.9% |
| 1966 | 1,689,000 | +16.6% |
| 1976 | 1,924,960 | +14.0% |
| 1986 | 2,455,134 | +27.5% |
| 1996 | 3,123,114 | +27.2% |
| 2006 | 3,747,289 | +20.0% |
| 2015 | 4,603,861 | +22.9% |
| 2017 | 4,995,155 | +8.5% |
| 2018 | 5,063,000 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 5,669,652 | +12.0% |
| sources:[15][16][17][18][2] | ||
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 estimated5,853,394 people residing in the governorate in 2024, 4,600,768 people lived in rural areas and 1,252,626 lived in urban areas.[18]
According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the following industrial zones are located in Sohag:[19]
| 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 |
| Urban |  | |
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[[Category:Governorates of Egypt]]
